A's Lasko reports leg sensation returning after back surgery
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- Ryan Lasko broke his back in a collision with Double-A Midland teammate Devin Taylor four weeks ago when both players dove for a fly ball during a game in Frisco, Texas; Lasko remained motionless on the field after the play
- Lasko underwent surgery June 30 to repair a fractured C6-C7 vertebra and told Instagram followers Monday he now has sensation from his feet to his knees along with involuntary leg movements
- The 24-year-old Lasko also reported about 75% usage of his left hand, roughly 50% in his right, and returning sensation in his thighs, hamstrings, and back
- Lasko was selected by the Athletics in the second round of the 2023 amateur draft out of Rutgers
- Lasko was batting .209 with six homers, 34 RBIs, and a .635 OPS for Midland this season, and previously batted .357 with nine stolen bases in 21 Arizona Fall League games
Why it matters: A C6-C7 fracture with loss of limb sensation is a potentially career-ending injury for any athlete, and Lasko's update is the first concrete neurological benchmark since the June 30 surgery. For a 24-year-old second-round pick, regaining lower-body sensation and partial hand function is the kind of milestone that determines whether he can eventually return to professional baseball rather than facing permanent disability.
