The Minnesota Twins have named Garvin Alston pitching coach. The 45-year-old Alston, whose hiring was announced Thursday by the Twins, became bullpen coach for the Oakland Athletics last season after starting the year as pitching rehab coordinator for the San Diego Padres. Alston previously served as bullpen coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks and as minor league pitching coordinator and minor league rehab pitching coordinator in two earlier stints with the A's. Alston also pitched in the Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers systems and made six major league appearances with the Rockies in 1996.