Garciaparra set to begin his rehab stint at Peoria.(Nomar Garciaparra, Chicago Cubs)

Byline: Paul Sullivan

CHICAGO _ The final leg of Nomar Garciaparra's long journey back from what looked like a season-ending injury begins Tuesday night in Peoria when he begins his rehab stint with the Class A Peoria Chiefs. Garciaparra had no set timetable for his return, but whether it's in a week or two he feels he will be ready to get back to his old form quickly.

"Do I know how long that's going to be?" he said. "No. Plus, from a hitting standpoint, getting your timing down and doing all that stuff is something we have to take into consideration."

Garciaparra said the explosiveness in his first step out of the batter's box is back, and that was an important part of his rehab process, because the groin injury obviously limited his pelvic movement for the last few months,

"I was hoping to come back, and this is another hurdle to get back to where I want to be," he said.

EX-CUBS RETURN

Former Cub reliever LaTroy Hawkins declined to speak to the Chicago media Monday night and briefly made a commotion when reporters began asking Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti about him. On Sunday, Hawkins was asked by the San Francisco Chronicle about returning to Chicago.

"Love the town. ... Love the players. Love Dusty Baker too," Hawkins said.

And the fans?

"Well, only got so much love to go around," Hawkins replied.

Hawkins was booed coming into the game in the eighth, and was again after coming out two batters later. Meanwhile, former Cub Moises Alou got a tepid response when he came to the plate, with a mild ovation and some booing.

EXTRA INNINGS

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez and Florida outfielder Miguel Cabrera were named co-winners of the National League Player of the Week Award for July 18-24. . .. Cubs officials scotched a rumor that they're interested in acquiring Mets outfielder Mike Cameron.

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(c) 2005, Chicago Tribune.

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