Blue Jays Take Home Top Honor at MLB Winter Meetings
ORLANDO — The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) is proud to announce the Toronto Blue Jays athletic training staff as the PBATS Major League Athletic Training Staff of the Year, recognizing their exceptional professionalism, collaboration, and commitment to player health and performance throughout the season.
The award honors Head Athletic Trainer Jose Ministral and Assistant Athletic Trainers Voon Chong and Drew MacDonald, a trio widely respected across Major League Baseball for their leadership, preparation, and tireless dedication behind the scenes. Notably, this recognition is especially meaningful as it is voted on by their peers, with athletic trainers from all 30 Major League clubs participating in the selection process.
From left: Drew MacDonald, Nick Kenney, Jose Ministral, Voon Chong
Each year, the PBATS Major League Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award is presented to a group that exemplifies the highest standards of the profession—balancing injury prevention, rehabilitation, performance support, and player trust over the course of a demanding MLB season. The Blue Jays’ staff distinguished itself through a collaborative approach, strong communication with players and coaches, and a consistent focus on long-term athlete care.
“Being recognized by your peers is the highest compliment in our profession,” said PBATS President Nick Kenney. “Jose, Voon, and Drew represent everything this award stands for—professional excellence, preparation, and a deep commitment to the well-being of their players. Their peers across Major League Baseball clearly recognize the impact this group has made, and PBATS is proud to honor them.”
Under the leadership of Ministral, the Blue Jays’ athletic training department has built a culture rooted in trust, education, and innovation. Working closely with the club’s performance, medical, and coaching staffs, the group has played a vital role in keeping players healthy and available throughout the season, while also supporting individualized recovery and return-to-play plans.
Assistant athletic trainers Chong and MacDonald have been instrumental in executing that vision on a daily basis—providing hands-on care, maintaining clear lines of communication, and helping navigate the physical challenges of a long Major League schedule. Together, the staff’s cohesion and consistency have earned widespread respect throughout the league.
The peer-voted nature of the award underscores the esteem in which the Blue Jays’ staff is held across baseball. Athletic trainers understand firsthand the challenges and demands of the role, making this recognition particularly meaningful within the PBATS community.
PBATS congratulates Jose Ministral, Voon Chong, and Drew MacDonald, as well as the entire Toronto Blue Jays organization, on this well-deserved honor. Their work reflects the critical role athletic trainers play in modern baseball and the impact of collaboration, preparation, and professionalism at the Major League level.
To learn more about the Blue Jays’ staff, click here: https://pbats.com/bios/toronto-blue-jays/
For more information about the award, please contact sam@theromanogroup.com.