Ryan Lasko, a minor league prospect with the Oakland Athletics, has been discharged from an in-patient rehabilitation hospital following a severe spinal cord injury sustained more than two months ago. The 24-year-old was released Wednesday from the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey, near where he attended Rutgers University and where he was selected in the second round of the 2023 MLB draft.

Lasko’s injury occurred on June 30 during a game in Frisco, Texas, when he and Double-A Midland teammate Devin Taylor collided while attempting to field a ball. The impact fractured Lasko’s C6 and C7 vertebrae, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down with weakness extending to both arms, including his dominant right arm. He underwent emergency spinal decompression and stabilization surgery shortly after the incident.

During his time at Kessler Institute, medical staff have noted progress in Lasko’s recovery, with signs of regained sensation and tingling in his legs and feet. Although his right arm remains weak and will require ongoing rehabilitation, his doctors and therapists are encouraged by his improvements and remain hopeful that he could regain full mobility, including the ability to walk again.

Lasko expressed mixed emotions about his recovery during an interview, emphasizing patience amid an uncertain outlook. “I can’t predict how the next year will go,” he said, noting that his focus is on the present and adjusting mentally to the slow pace of healing. “They keep telling me it’s only the beginning, so that’s where I’m trying to learn to have patience.” He plans to continue his recovery at home and looks forward to simple comforts like a home-cooked meal and spending time with his girlfriend, Alli Graff, including pursuing offseason travel plans despite the challenges ahead.

Staff at the rehabilitation center marked Lasko’s departure with a “clap out” ceremony, celebrating a significant milestone in his ongoing recovery journey.