Odds & Ends

James Clifford was the feature in the M’s Farm Report earlier this week. Clifford was in the Opening Day lineup for the 1995 Timber Rattlers and he is now the roving strength and conditioning coach for the Mariners.

[Bryan] LaHair joined Adam Jones, Willie Bloomquist and J.J. Putz for offseason workouts and conditioning in Peoria, Ariz., but Clifford's expertise benefits everyone in the organization. He sets up strength and conditioning programs for every minor-league player in the organization, spending much of his time during the season traveling to each of the team's minor-league affiliates.

"It helps that I have an intern at each level who helps me out, but we go real in-depth into what we want them to do, from lifting, conditioning, working on speed and nutrition," he said. "You tailor programs differently based on the player and their position, but you would be surprised how many similarities there are."

Marwin Vega was named the final Midwest League Pitcher of the Week in the 2006 season.

Vega scattered four hits and three walks over seven shutout innings on Tuesday, earning the victory as the Timber Rattlers blanked Peoria, 3-0. The 19-year-old Columbian stayed hot in his next start, surrendering one run over five innings in Wisconsin's eventual 4-3 win over Clinton.