A's prospect Ryan Lasko released from rehab hospital

Ryan Lasko, a minor league prospect with the Athletics who was paralyzed in an outfield collision more than two months ago, has been released from an in-patient rehabilitation hospital and will continue his recovery from home. The 24-year-old was released Wednesday, exactly two months after arriving at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in his home state of New Jersey.

Lasko suffered the spinal cord injury in a collision with a teammate on June 30 that left him paralyzed from the chest down, with both arms affected as well. His dominant right arm, the one he uses to throw and hit, is weaker and will take more time to strengthen, while his legs and feet have begun to regain some feeling and tingling sensations.

The injury occurred when Lasko and Double-A Midland teammate Devin Taylor ran into each other during a game at Frisco, Texas, both attempting to make a play on a ball hit to the gap. Lasko fractured the C6 and C7 vertebrae in his neck, was carted off the field and taken to a nearby hospital for immediate spinal decompression and stabilization surgery.

Lasko's doctors and physical and occupational therapists are encouraged by his progress and are optimistic he could make a full recovery and walk again in time. He will initially return to his hometown of Jackson, New Jersey, and then live in a hotel near the Kessler facility for approximately two months as he continues his recovery.

Lasko told The Associated Press he is focusing on the present and learning patience through the process. He said he is excited for a home-cooked meal and to follow through on offseason travel plans with girlfriend Alli Graff, and described reaching milestones like regaining the ability to open a water bottle on his own as 'big wins' along the way.