A’s top prospect Ryan Lasko is in stable condition after back surgery for fractured vertebra in Double-A collision

Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko is in stable condition after undergoing surgery for a fractured vertebra following a collision during a Double-A game in Frisco, Texas. The injury occurred as Lasko, a center fielder, attempted a diving catch and collided head-first at full speed with right fielder Devin Taylor, who was trying to pursue the ball after the contact.

According to reports, Lasko remained motionless on the field and was taken by stretcher to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. The Athletics’ organization later indicated he underwent spinal decompression and stabilization surgery, and early updates described swelling in his spine as a factor in a temporary loss of feeling in his lower half, with hope for recovery over time.

CBS Sports, citing team and medical updates, reported that the fracture involved the C6-C7 vertebrae. The same reporting noted that Lasko is not currently experiencing feeling in his lower half due to swelling, a detail that underscores how serious the injury was even as his condition has been described as stable.

The collision also drew attention inside the organization because of who Lasko has become as a prospect. At age 24, he was the No. 41 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and entered this season with a reputation for high-energy, frenetic play, including praise cited by Baseball America ranking him as the Athletics’ 23rd-best prospect entering the year.

Athletics General Manager David Forst publicly expressed support for Lasko’s family, and the organization pointed to the work of on-field athletic trainers during the incident as well as emergency responders from the scene. Forst’s remarks, as reported by CBS Sports, also described ongoing communication with Lasko’s family and indicated the organization would continue to apply its medical resources toward his recovery.

Lasko’s teammate, Devin Taylor, avoided major injury in the incident, and Taylor quickly got up after the collision, according to reports. The Athletics system will now shift from day-to-day development to the immediate question that matters most for Lasko, whether and when neurological function improves as swelling goes down and healing progresses.

For fans and evaluators, the longer view is clear but not immediate: a C6-C7 fracture is the kind of injury that can reshape an athlete’s path, even if early medical updates are encouraging. The key next items to watch are subsequent medical assessments, the recovery timeline outlined by treating physicians, and how the organization manages Lasko’s rehab process before any baseball activities resume.