The Associated Press

MIAMI - Florida Marlins third baseman Mike Lowell, sidelined by a broken left hand since Aug. 30, hopes to return for the final two regular-season games.

Lowell was examined by a hand specialist Friday and was told the injury is healing properly. He hopes to be cleared to swing a bat in two weeks, and could return to the lineup Sept. 27 and Sept. 28 against the New York Mets.

"That would be ideal," Lowell said. "I'm optimistic."

The final games could be critical for the Marlins, who are battling Philadelphia for the National League wild card.

INDIANS: Outfielder Milton Bradley pleaded innocent in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, to charges of speeding and fleeing when an officer tried to ticket him.

Bradley was driving 52 mph in a 25-mph zone Aug. 30, according to a police report. A patrolman stopped Bradley and issued him a speeding citation, but Bradley refused it and drove away, according to the report. An officer briefly pursued him.

Bradley called the police the next day to say he wanted to pick up the ticket. He did so and also signed a signature bond.

Bradley also was charged with failure to comply with police, a first-degree misdemeanor with a potential maximum fine of $1,000 and six months in jail.

BRAVES: Reliever Darren Holmes, sidelined since Aug. 6 by a sore shoulder, was activated. The right-hander has a 4.21 ERA in 36 1/3 innings.

METS: New York purchased the contract of Tom Glavine's brother, first baseman Mike Glavine, from Triple-A Norfolk. The 30-year-old hit .266 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 169 at-bats with the Tides this year.

TWINS: Third-base coach Al Newman was expected to remain hospitalized in Chicago for another week following a brain hemorrhage.

EXPOS: Portland officials will not submit a bid to host the team next season and instead will focus on a proposal to permanently bring the team to the city. Working on a proposal to host the team on an interim basis would divert time and resources away from the city's ultimate goal, Mayor Vera Katz said in a statement.