Ryan Lasko, the Athletics’ minor league prospect who suffered a devastating spinal cord injury in an outfield collision just over two months ago, has officially left in-patient rehabilitation. This is massive news for the 24-year-old, marking a critical step in his incredibly tough recovery journey.
Two Months of Hell, Now Heading Home
Can you imagine? On June 30, Lasko collided with Double-A Midland teammate Devin Taylor while both went for a ball in the gap at Frisco, Texas. It was a terrifying moment. He fractured his C6 and C7 vertebrae in his neck, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down, with both arms affected. He was carted off the field and immediately underwent spinal decompression and stabilization surgery. For the past two months, Lasko has been at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in his home state of New Jersey. Staff there gave him a “clap out” farewell ceremony as he exited on Wednesday, exactly two months after he arrived. It’s hard to even wrap your head around that kind of dedication.
His dominant right arm, the one he uses to throw and hit, is still weaker and will need more time to regain its strength. But there’s encouraging news: his legs and feet have started to regain some feeling, with tingling sensations a sign of progress. Doctors and therapists are genuinely encouraged by what they’ve seen and remain optimistic that Lasko could make a full recovery and eventually walk again. This isn’t just about baseball anymore, it’s about life, and hearing that hope is out there? That’s what it’s all about.
Patience Is The Name of The Game For Lasko’s Journey
Going home is a huge milestone for Lasko, a former second-round draft pick by the A’s in 2023 out of Rutgers. He’s excited for a home-cooked meal and even plans to follow through on offseason travel with his girlfriend, Alli Graff, despite the new challenges they face. Yet, he’s also brutally honest about the mental game of recovery. “I’ve kind of stopped trying to look that far ahead because they keep telling me it’s two months, this is only the beginning still, but it feels like it’s been forever,” Lasko told The Associated Press. He added, “It’s gone by quick, but it’s also been the longest two months of my life. They keep telling me that it’s only the beginning so that’s where I’m trying to learn to have patience, because I expected it would happen overnight and that’s really not how it works whatsoever. But I’m learning, slowly, it’s a very slow process with everything.” His mother, Patti, who was at the game when he was hurt, echoed the sentiment, saying, “It’s been a long road. The two of them work as a team. I feel like it’s a new beginning.”
It’s clear that while this is a huge step, Ryan Lasko’s journey is far from over. He’s focusing on the present, on “reworking my brain to just wait, there’s nothing else I can do now, I have to wait.” For now, it’s about continuing that incredibly slow, painstaking process from home. Every small gain, every ounce of patience, will be key to what comes next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply