SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Curtis Mead has left his first game with the Boston Red Sox after being hit on the left wrist by a pitch against the Athletics.Mead struck out looking in the first at-bat of his Boston debut Monday night and was struck on the wrist by A's starter Jack Perkins in the fourth. Mead tried to shake off the pain, but left the game after being checked by the Red Sox's trainer.The Red Sox acquired Mead on Saturday in a trade that sent left-hander Connelly Early to Washington.Mead is hitting .253 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs this season.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

The Yankees overcame Max Fried's season-low-tying start of three innings with four-run frames in the fourth and eighth to take Monday's series-opening game at the American League East-leading Chicago White Sox, a 9-4 win, rebounding from Sunday's 11-4 loss at the Philadelphia Phillies.TakeawaysFried's second start back from injury mirrored his season-worst outing May 13 at the Baltimore Orioles, a 7-0 loss, in which he allowed three runs on five hits in three innings. This time, Fried -- after returning from a two-month absence due to a left elbow bone bruise with one hit in five innings during last Wednesday's 5-3 10-inning loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates -- also allowed three runs on five hits and exited following three frames. Pulled after 39 strikes on 66 pitches while fanning four and walking two, Fried (4-3, 3.23 ERA) fell victim to a three-run first inning in which he started slow, allowing four of his five hits. Fortunately for Fried, the Yankees' bullpen and offense picked him up, but this was a step back from how he looked in his debut last week.Jazz Chisholm Jr. was chief among New York's reinforcements, tying the game with a two-run double in the fourth inning that scoredPaul Goldschmidt and Jasson Domnguez. Chisholm subsequently stole third base and scored when Spencer Jones grounded out to second with one out. When the Yankees led the White Sox (55-50) by a run in the eight inning, Chisholm's RBI single to score Domnguez padded the 6-4 lead and eventually break the game open. Chisholm's 2-for-4, two-RBI effort from the sixth spot in the order was the type of performance that New York needed to avoid a series-opening dud as he brought his slash line to .226/.299/.414 with 45 RBI and 29 steals through 99 games this season.Between Chisholm's highlights, Ben Rice's go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning with two outs to score Amed Rosario gave the Yankees the much-needed push after the White Sox tied the game at 4-4 with one out in the fifth. Rice, whose 2-for-4 evening included a leadoff walk that sparked New York's fourth inning, need to be the guy in this lineup without Aaron Judge and met the moment as the second-batting designated hitter Monday. Through 101 games, Rice is slashing .275/.363/.585 with 73 RBI.With Cody Bellingerout for the next month and change due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, Max Schuemann's second start in left field saw him also lead off but underwhelm. Schuemann's two-game glimpse is an 0-for-7 sample size after Monday's 0-for-5 result out of the No. 1 spot in the order, which only adds to questions for Aaron Booneand the Yankees with the MLB trade deadline around the corner.Who's the MVP?Chisholm, whose all-out effort sparked the Yankees to a gutsy win.HighlightsJazz brings the Yankees even! pic.twitter.com/o1Kz18Fgf4 SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) July 28, 2026Ben Rice comes through! pic.twitter.com/mZg8Zdgruq SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) July 28, 2026What's nextThe Yankees and White Sox return to action with Tuesday's 7:40 p.m. game.New York RHP Gerrit Cole (3-5, 3.92 ERA) and Chicago LHP Anthony Kay (7-4, 4.21 ERA) are set to start.

WASHINGTON This time, there was little argument when Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider came to the mound to take the ball from Max Scherzer.This time, as Scherzer departed the mound for the dugout and a small but spirited Nationals Park crowd of 17,618 offered a standing ovation, Scherzer didnt stare daggers and skulk into the dugout.Instead, he turned and wearily offered a wave of his right hand to a crowd that still reveres him for his work in Washington.On Monday, July 27, Scherzer celebrated his 42nd birthday by returning to a major league mound for the first time since June 10 and just the ninth time this season. Back spasms shelved him most recently for six weeks, just one start after he returned from another six-week absence due to right forearm tendinitis and ankle inflammation.Yet the details are almost irrelevant. Simply, Scherzer is old.And if the past two seasons have proven anything, it is that any time he can climb a mound in the big leagues, it should not be taken for granted.Monday, that was the case both for Scherzer and the crowd that saluted him before and after his 2 2/3-inning, 75-pitch return to the majors.Thats the best part. Thats why I still do this, says Scherzer after he and six relievers combined to suppress the Nationals league-leading offense in a 3-2 victory.No matter what team youre on, where youre at, when you get the ball and you can toe the rubber, theres no other feeling Id rather have than being on a big league mound, competing at people.On this night, he wasnt exactly Mad Max, stalking the mound and talking to himself after pitches. More like Steamed Scherzer, retaining his energy on a 91-degree evening, a replacement jersey, undershirt and three caps waiting in the tunnel behind the Blue Jays dugout in case he got too sweaty.But at this age, with his nagging ailments, getting back was most of the battle.In 2025, Scherzer seemed to dust off every trick in his bag to piece together 17 starts, plus two more in the playoffs, despite a vexing thumb condition and more back issues. And the magic that drove him to two World Series titles, three Cy Young Awards and now, more than 3,500 strikeouts seemed to return in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, when he screamed at Schneider during a mound conference in the fifth inning, won the fight to stay in the game and delivered a crucial victory.When the Blue Jays fell two outs shy of winning a World Series, Scherzer was so moved by the experience he returned on a one-year, $3 million contract, smallest of his career. Yet nothings gone right since: The Blue Jays have been touched by injuries, felled by underperformance from superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero and entered Monday, this final week before the MLB trade deadline, 48-58 and 13th among 16 AL teams.As Scherzer took the mound, it was hard to ignore that his longtime teammate and tepid rival Justin Verlander, 43, announced his retirement at the end of the season. Verlanders body has allowed the 266-game winner just one start this year, and perhaps not another.The crowd on hand seemed to sense that they shouldn't take Monday's moment lightly.When Scherzer wandered out to the bullpen for pregame work, a handful of fans by the left field fence broke into applause that echoed through the nearly empty ballpark. When lineups were announced, he was introduced over the public address system as starting pitcher and 2019 World Series champion Max Scherzer.And when Scherzer hopped out of the dugout for the bottom of the first inning, a 75-second standing ovation, unprompted, poured out from the crowd as he began his warmups. All that was missing was Still D.R.E., his longtime entrance music here.But Scherzer heard it all and felt he had to respond in kind as he walked to the third base dugout after he was pulled.Its good, its special, he says. Ive got a lot of great memories here in D.C. I wanted to show the fans respect, as well, because they were cheering the whole time, even when I was warming up.What they say was not the Scherzer of old, nor was that to be expected. Scherzers first pitch after turning 42 was laced into center field by 23-year-old James Wood. Luis Garcia Jr. followed with another hit, and a walk to CJ Abrams loaded the bases.Yet there was also this: Scherzer tying up Jose Tena with an 85-mph changeup for a strikeout. Two batters later, he did the same to 24-year-old Dylan Crews, a couple pitches after Crews committed an act of violence on Scherzers once-dominant slider, ripping a ball that drilled Wood in foul territory at third base.Finally, Scherzer got Daylen Lile to roll softly to first. First inning over. No damage.And so it went for nearly three innings. Scherzers old reliables, his 96-mph heat and devastating slider, are certified pre-owned versions nowadays, replaced by touch and feel. Scherzer got four whiffs on the dozen changeups he threw.And he uncorked a curveball that would make late-career Zack Greinke blush, a 75-mph rainbow that proved wildly effective. The offspeed and breaking shtick limited but did not erase damage: Scherzer needed 50 pitches to get through two innings, gave up an RBI double Garcia ripped off the wall, yet just one run despite yielding four hits and three walks.His 75th and last pitch of the night came with one out in the bottom of the third, a 73-mph hook to Lile, who ended a 12-pitch battle by flailing at it with a runner on third.Just keep executing. Keep executing. Stay in the fight, says Scherzer, recounting the mantra popularized by Nationals manager Dave Martinez during their 2019 World Series run. Recognize what hes trying to do, what pitch is next, what we need to challenge him with. It eventually became a 3-2 curveball and I was able to execute."And out came Schneider, satisfied Scherzer gave him eight outs, four by strikeout, and setting the stage for just the Blue Jays third victory in nine games. This time, the conversation was a little more cordial.A lot of pitches in three innings for his first start back, says Schneider. Weve known him long enough to have a good feel for what hes feeling.He said, Your call. And I said, That was a lot right there. And he said Yeah, your call. And I said, OK, nice job.Better yet, Scherzer said he came out of the start feeling fine and both he and Schneider said hes in line to make his next start, Sunday at Rogers Centre against St. Louis. A day later, an uncertain future begins.With the Blue Jays nearly out of playoff contention, Scherzer who has a full no-trade clause - likely wont have the runway to convince a contender he can provide the October magic he sprinkled through Toronto and Texas, Los Angeles and Washington and Detroit.Look, our record is our record. Its frustrating as heck that were in this position, says Scherzer. You get caught up in the distractions of everything going around us now, thats not the way you play big league baseball.As for 2027? There was very little to suggest Scherzer is ready to toss away his jersey for good. He noted the good fortune of being in a slightly better physical position than Verlander, who finally ran into enough ailments he couldnt dodge.Monday, Scherzers wife Erica, their children and many family members were on hand. There was a birthday to be celebrated, and perhaps the relief of a career hanging on, in search of his next most effective pitch to keep getting outs.I thought it would be too special, says Scherzer, to miss out to pitch on my birthday, to pitch back here.And for as long as his body will allow him.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A birthday worth savoring: Max Scherzer, 42, makes appreciative return to mound

The Philadelphia 76ers announced Monday that the team has signed four-time NBA champion LeBron James - a move that has meant big business for small shops across the Delaware Valley.Monkey's Uncle Retro Philly Tee Shirts in Doylestown has been pressing LeBron-themed shirts since the news first broke on Friday."I'm not going to lie, I was shocked," said Derrick Morgan, co-owner of Monkey's Uncle. "As soon as that decision came out, it was a whirlwind."READ MORE | LeBron James to continue wearing No. 23 as Philadelphia 76er, team announcesThe excitement of LeBron James coming to Philadelphia is already showing up in ticket prices.Morgan said he immediately went into design mode on Friday. Within two hours, he had created a shirt that includes a nod to LeBron's iconic chalk toss."Every time that he does this chalk dust cloud, he's kind of putting out into the universe the dreams of our Philly sports fans. There's a lot of weight on his shoulders here because we're starving for a championship," Morgan explained.The design includes the cloud of chalk dust filled with Philadelphia icons like Rocky, Billy Penn, and the Love Statue.Monkey's Uncle is one of the many local businesses now printing merch to celebrate the star signing with the 76ers."For us, we're excited about that because we're apart of the disability community. Us just being able to print these shirts is giving job opportunities to young adults with different abilities," Morgan said.SEE ALSO | Inside LeBron James' decision | What his agent is saying about the Sixers pickMeantime, Philadelphia merch shop 'Phillygoat' is cashing in on the LeBron craze by immediately making merch to mark the moment.Ryan Cassidy, the founder and creator, told Action News, "We got into some pretty standard designs like 'It's a Philly King', but then we got a little esoteric with it."They printed shirts with taglines like 'The Chosen One Chose Us', 'LeBroad Street Bullies', and 'LeBrontosauras', which has become their best seller."I think he recognizes what an incredible opportunity and sports town Philly is," Cassidy said. "Small businesses like myself, and there are dozens of other Phillygoat-type businesses, that's all part of it. We sort of fuel that fandom, that fire, and I think he's bought in."

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 08: Head coach Kalen Deboer of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during warmups prior to facing the LSU Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) GettyAlabamas2028 recruiting class is beginning to take shape impressively.According to Rivals national recruiting director Steve Wiltfong, the Crimson Tide are one of the biggest early winners in the 2028 cycle after landing another major commitment over the weekend. With three commitments already in July and several of the nations elite prospects heavily considering Alabama, Kalen DeBoer and his staff have positioned themselves for what could become one of the nations top recruiting classes.Alabama Climbs Near the Top of the 2028 RankingsAlabama added another significant piece on Sunday when four-star linebacker Tysir Young, the nations No. 7 linebacker, announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide.Young joins an already impressive foundation that includes:No. 4 quarterback Kingston PreyearFour-star offensive tackle Anthony Blaylock Jr.Those three commitments have Alabama ranked No. 2 nationally in the early 2028 recruiting rankings, giving DeBoer plenty of momentum as the cycle begins.Young told Rivals that Alabamas vision for his development ultimately separated the Crimson Tide from the competition.I think overall the plan that Coach Chuck (Morrell) could lay out was aligned with what me and my family had in mind, Young said. The history of the program developing and producing defensive talent at the highest level stood out.One comparison especially caught Youngs attention.Alabamas coaching staff believes his game resembles former Crimson Tide linebacker Jihaad Campbell, a comparison that gave Young confidence in the developmental path laid out by defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell.The consistency of the coaching staff, the opportunity to play in the SEC, and the plan that is laid out for me to be successful made it the right fit, Young added.Anthony Blaylock Jr. Sees Similarities to Nick Sabans Early Alabama TeamsYoung isnt the only Alabama pledge excited about the programs direction.Offensive tackle Anthony Blaylock Jr. recently explained why he believes the 2028 class could become a defining group under DeBoer.I would say what excites me the most is that we are the future of Alabama and Coach K and the program, Blaylock said. I believe this is only Coach Ks third year at Bama so with this 2028 class I believe it will have the same effect the 2008 Bama class had with Coach Saban.Thats lofty praise considering Nick Sabans 2008 recruiting class helped lay the foundation for one of college footballs greatest dynasties.Whether this group reaches that level remains to be seen, but the confidence among Alabamas commitments is evident.Alabama Still Chasing Several Elite ProspectsWiltfong believes Alabamas recruiting momentum is far from over.One prospect he feels especially confident about is Joey Fleming, the Rivals300s No. 1 interior offensive lineman. Wiltfong has already logged a prediction for Alabama to land Fleming.The Crimson Tide are also heavily pursuing fellow in-state offensive lineman Samuel Bailey, while continuing to recruit some of the nations premier offensive tackles, including:Antijuan Wilkes Jr.Maui TonataBuilding dominance in the trenches appears to be one of Alabamas biggest priorities after signing a smaller 2027 class.Defensive Talent Also Remains a Major FocusThe Crimson Tide continue to recruit several elite defensive prospects across the country.Among Alabamas biggest defensive targets are:Five-star defensive lineman Tyzon SwannEdge rusher Cassell CruickshankMajor StokesMyles TateElijah TillmanChristian Webb ScottDefensive lineman Ayden WoodruffIn the secondary, Alabama remains in a strong position with several blue-chip defensive backs, including:No. 4 cornerback Jermaine CobbinsNo. 2 athlete Kamieon Compton-NeroNo. 3 athlete CJ WhaleyThe Crimson Tide are also searching for elite playmakers at wide receiver, with Brysen Wright, Jaylen Addai, Braylon Clark, and four-star Maximus Curry among the top names on Alabamas recruiting board.The Bigger PictureIts still very early in the 2028 recruiting cycle, but DeBoer and his coaching staff continue to demonstrate that Alabama remains one of college footballs premier recruiting destinations.Landing three highly regarded commitments in July has created significant momentum, and if Wiltfongs projection on Joey Fleming proves accurate, the Crimson Tide could soon strengthen what is already one of the nations top-ranked recruiting classes.With Alabama expected to sign a much larger class in 2028 than it did in 2027, the next several months could be pivotal as DeBoer looks to build another championship-caliber roster through elite high school recruiting.Like HEAVY's content?Be sure to follow us.This article was originally published on HEAVYThe post Kalen DeBoer Has Alabama Building Something Special in 2028 Recruiting Class appeared first on HEAVY.

Zac Thornton continued his excellent start to his career with the Mets on Monday night against the Atlanta Braves, allowing three earned runs in 6.1 innings of an eventual 14-3 win for New York.The left-hander is now 2-1 with a 2.43 ERA (0.91 WHIP) in five starts and 29.2 innings pitched this season, and although hes a top pitching prospect in the Mets organization and just 24 years old, Thorntons repertoire doesnt include the typical blistering fastball and wicked secondary pitch that most young pitching prospects have.Instead, Thornton relies mostly on a cutter that averages around 87 mph and his two-seam fastball that sits between 89-92 mph while mixing in a variety of other pitches, none of which get above 94 mph on a consistent basis.Interim manager Andy Green admitted that its not the traditional way that most front-line starters attack hitters in this day and age of high velocity and spin rate, but the results so far speak for themselves.Its good stuff, Green said about Thorntons assortment of pitches. We live in a world where we dont define stuff as good unless its 95+ anymore and thats unfortunate because the cutter really is tough for righties to see and react to and the more you have to think about pitches coming in on your hands, the more youre gonna pull off of everything else that works away from you.So its not the traditional way that star pitchers get people out right now, but its real, its not easy and so it gets a lot of soft contact off handles and gets a lot of ground balls. And occasionally somebody barrels him up, but he gets right back at it.So far, thats been Thorntons approach. Regardless of what happened in a previous at-bat, he doesnt let it affect his next one.For example, in the fourth inning on Monday night Thornton allowed a game-tying, two-run home run to Ozzie Albies after the Mets had taken the lead a half-inning prior. Rather than allow the inning to spiral, the lefty calmly went back to work and even after a single following the homer, Thornton ended the inning without further damage thanks to some weak contact and a double play.Thornton didnt allow another run beyond that point and New York went on to re-take the lead in the sixth inning thanks to its starters resilience which allowed the team to remain in the fight and in the end give Thornton the win.In fact, the way Thornton sees it, it doesnt matter where hes pitching or what the situation is, hes coming after hitters the same way he always has.Its the same thing if I was getting starts at Triple-A or Double-A, he said. Im a competitor, Im gonna go out and beat whoever is on the other side of that field.That attitude from the lefty comes as no surprise to Green who has been around Thornton quite a bit from his role as senior vice president of player development prior to becoming the interim manager.Thats who he is. Sometimes guys barrel you up and I dont think he allows it to affect his next pitch which is not an easy thing to do as a rookie on a big league mound for the first time, Green said. [The Braves have] a good lineup. They had some good early swings. I thought he got to punchouts a little better in some bigger situations that were nice to see, but more than anything he got a couple of double play balls, continued to pitch to contact, continued to fill up the zone and even after the two-run homer to tie the game, he got right back out there and kept going.Green added: It doesnt surprise me though, I expect him to attack that way.

There have been valid questions about LeBron James fit with the Philadelphia 76ers, as the team is stacked with Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and even VJ Edgecombe, whom hell share the ball with this upcoming season.However, long-time NBA analyst Skip Bayless strongly believes that James could be what the doctor ordered for the 76ers, given the 41-year-olds credentials and overall fitness.People around the NBA questioning LeBrons fit in Philly? HES A PERFECT FIT. They needed a pure PG, an orchestrator, and thats what LeBron does best. Tyrese has averaged 6 assists last 3 years. LBJ will average 11ish and lead league in assists, Bayless posted on X.MORE:LeBron James works out with Tyrese Maxey after 76ers moveTo Bayless point, ESPNs Shams Charania recently reported that the 76ers are planning to play James at point guard. When he last did it in one full season in 2019-20, the four-time league MVP averaged 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 10.2 assists, and 1.2 steals on 49.3 percent shooting from the field across 67 regular-season games.LeBron James plans to make history with the Philadelphia 76ersDec 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) reacts after a missed basket during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesLeBron James has set several historical records in his 23 years in the NBA, a tremendous testament to his dedication, talent, and unmatched longevity.Now that hes entering his 24th season, he has taken on a new challenge by joining the Philadelphia 76ers, as he plans to help the team win its first Larry OBrien trophy since 1983, a year before he was even born.Its no doubt LeBron is playing for a different legacy, and the legacy being the only player in NBA history to win a championship with 4 different teams. And hes playing on borrowed time. Its like hes playing with spare change now, Shams Charania said on the Stephen A. Smith show.If he does win with the 76ers, James will become the first player in NBA history to have won a championship with four different franchises, strengthening his GOAT argument.Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter

Former womens basketball coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton says she has reached a settlement with the University of Virginia after her sudden firing on April 5, a week after leading the Cavaliers to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000.Details of the settlement were not made public. Agugua-Hamilton shared a statement about it on her Instagram account after the Associated Press published a story about the settlement.Agugua-Hamilton and her representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Virginia declined to comment.USA TODAY Sports previously reported that Agugua-Hamilton widely known in and outside the program as Coach Mox had been the subject of an internal investigation and there were allegations of staff mistreatment within the program, according to four people with knowledge of the situation.According to a copy of Agugua-Hamiltons contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports, Virginia owed her a sizable buyout if she was terminated without cause. The contract stipulates that Virginia would have to pay her the remaining amount of her base salary, 80% of supplemental compensation, 80% of royalties and any bonuses earned, but not yet received. According to the figures outlined in her contract which ran through the 2027-28 season Agugua-Hamilton would have been owed about $1.3 million.The contract also says that Virginia, at its discretion, may pay Agugua-Hamilton a lump sum of payments remaining for the term of her contract. Such a lump sum payment would also mean that Agugua-Hamilton would have no obligation to seek employment elsewhere.The recent resolution of this matter allows everyone to move forward, and I welcome that opportunity, Agugua-Hamilton wrote in a statement published to her Instagram account on Monday, July 27. I am proud of my career, grateful to every player and coach whose path has crossed mine, and excited for what is to come next. My passion for coaching has always been less about wins and losses and more about making a positive difference in the lives of young people. That passion remains as strong as ever.In the caption of that Instagram post, Agugua-Hamilton wrote that her silence was by design and she is so excited to take a year off from coaching.Across four years leading the Cavaliers womens basketball program, Agugua-Hamilton had a 70-58 record, including a 29-42 mark in ACC play. This past season marked Virginias first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2018 and they were one of the last four teams to make the field. The Cavaliers defeated Arizona State in the First Four and then upset higher-seeded Georgia and Iowa to make it to the Sweet 16 becoming the first double-digit seed to reach the regional semifinals in the Womens NCAA Tournament since 2022.Before becoming the head coach at UVA, Agugua-Hamilton was the head coach at Missouri State where she went 74-15 with two trips to March Madness.Virginia hired Richmond coach Aaron Roussell three days after Agugua-Hamilton was fired. He had guided the Spiders to three consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, with two of those appearances coming via at-large berths. Despite the transfer portal being open and her taking a visit to Dawn Staleys South Carolina, Roussell was able to retain star guard Kymora Johnson, a First Team All-ACC selection.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, former basketball coach, says she reached settlement with UVA

Ryan Lasko of the Athletics poses for a portrait during photo day at HoHoKam StadiumCredit: Chris Coduto/GettyNEED TO KNOWAthletics prospect Ryan Lasko says he has regained sensation in parts of his legs nearly a month after a frightening on-field collisionThe 24-year-old fractured his C6-C7 vertebrae and underwent spinal decompression and stabilization surgery following the collisionLasko said he is very happy with his progress and thanked supporters for helping motivate his recoveryRyan Lasko is sharing an encouraging update on his recovery nearly a month after a frightening on-field collision left him with a fractured vertebra and without feeling in the lower half of his body.The 24-year-old Athletics prospect revealed in an Instagram Stories post on Monday, July 27, that he has regained sensation in parts of his legs and has seen improvement in the use of both hands following the June 30 collision.Just wanted to give a quick update! Im currently feeling much better, Lasko wrote. I have sensation from my feet up to my knees, along with a lot of involuntary leg movements. I also have been getting some sensation in the side of my thighs, hamstrings, and back.Lasko also shared an update on his hands, writing, I currently have about 75% usage of my left hand and about 50% in my right.Ryan Lasko of the Mesa Solar Sox takes a lead off third base during an Arizona Fall League game against the Surprise Saguaros at Surprise StadiumCredit: Brandon Sloter/GettyIm very happy with my progress and once again, so thankful for all the love and support, he continued. It has continued to help me get up everyday and work my hardest.The update comes weeks after Lasko, an outfielder for the Athletics Double-A affiliate Midland RockHounds, was critically injured during a game against the Frisco RoughRiders.Lasko collided with teammate Devin Taylor in the third inning as the two made a play for the ball. Lasko remained motionless on the field following the collision and was taken off on a stretcher before being transported to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Plano.Following medical evaluation, doctors determined that Lasko had fractured his C6-C7 vertebra, and he subsequently underwent spinal decompression and stabilization surgery, according to The Athletic.The following day, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Lasko was stable after surgery but explained that swelling around his spine had resulted in a loss of feeling in his lower body.The unfortunate part of that injury is that the swelling in the spine is to an extent where he doesnt have feeling in his lower half, Kotsay told reporters on July 1 in a video shared by ABCs Kevin John.Ryan Lasko of the Mesa Solar Sox looks in the dugout during the game between the Mesa Solar Sox and the Peoria Javelinas at Peoria Sports ComplexCredit: Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via GettyFollow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLEs free sports newsletter sign up now!At the time, Kotsay said doctors had not ruled out the possibility that Lasko could regain sensation.Theres hope that the feeling comes back, Kotsay said. Its obviously going to take time, but a positive statement from the doctor is that there isnt a definitive statement saying hes not going to regain feeling in his lower half.Send prayers to him, his family, to the teammate and the team, Kotsay added. Its an emotional time for them.Read the original article on People