Ryan Lasko, a former Las Vegas Aviator now playing in the Athletics' minor league system, is recovering from a fractured neck he suffered during a Double-A game — an injury serious enough that it has drawn an outpouring of support from teammates, coaches and the organization that once called him one of their own. The Athletics have rallied around him with "22 Strong" shirts, a nod to his uniform number, as fans and former teammates in Las Vegas and beyond follow his recovery.
What Happened
Lasko, an outfielder who came up through the Athletics organization and spent time with the Las Vegas Aviators, sustained a fractured neck while playing in a Double-A game. Specific details about the play that caused the injury have not been released.
Injury & Recovery Status
A fractured neck is a serious injury that typically requires immobilization, close medical monitoring and an extended recovery timeline before an athlete can return to competition, if at all. The Athletics organization has not released a timeline for Lasko's recovery or a prognosis for his return to baseball, and updates are expected to come directly from the team as his condition progresses.
Team & Community Response
News of the injury prompted an immediate show of solidarity from within the Athletics organization. The team created and distributed "22 Strong" shirts — a reference to Lasko's number — as a visible symbol of support. Teammates and coaches, including those who played alongside him during his time with the Las Vegas Aviators, have rallied publicly behind him during his recovery.
Why It Resonates in Las Vegas
Lasko's connection to the Aviators means his injury and recovery are being closely followed by the Las Vegas baseball community, many of whom watched him develop as a player during his time with the team before his move up the Athletics' minor league ladder.
Key Facts
- Ryan Lasko suffered a fractured neck during a Double-A game
- The Athletics organization created and distributed '22 Strong' shirts in his honor
- Teammates and coaches rallied to support Lasko during his recovery