updated 10:32 p.m. ET July 3, 2006

NEW YORK - Pedro Martinez will get treatment for his sore hip and throw a light side session before a decision is made on whether he’ll get another start for the New York Mets before the All-Star break.

Martinez, who was selected for the NL All-Star team on Sunday, missed his scheduled start on Monday night. The team originally planned to give a spot start to long reliever Darren Oliver in his place, but switched gears before the game and recalled right-hander John Maine from Triple-A Norfolk to pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Martinez’s next turn in the rotation would be Saturday’s doubleheader against the Florida Marlins. Mets manager Willie Randolph said he could start as early as Wednesday if he comes to him and says he’s ready or he may not get another start before the break.

“He’s probably going to just miss a start like he is and he might be able to pitch before the week is out so I’m not concerned at all,” Randolph said.

Randolph said Martinez slipped in the bathroom and fell on his hip while he was changing his shirt during a series in Florida in May.

The Mets entered play Monday with an 11-game lead in the NL East and can afford to be cautious with their ace right-hander, who is 7-4 with a 3.45 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 101 2-3 innings this season.

“I don’t think it’s long term,” catcher Paul Lo Duca said. “I think it’s give him a day off, give him a spot off in the rotation, get him to come back healthy. I think it’s good for him, pitch one time and then have the extra time during the break too.”

Randolph said if Martinez can’t go before Saturday the team will place him on the disabled list retroactive to his last start.

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New York optioned right-hander Alay Soler to Norfolk to make room for Maine, who allowed four runs and six hits against the Washington Nationals on May 2 in his first appearance with the Mets. He went on the disabled list four days later with inflammation in his right middle finger.

Soler gave up seven hits and eight runs in 2 2-3 innings against the Yankees on Sunday night. He said Monday that he has experienced some tightness in his right calf for the last couple of weeks. Soler will be examined by a team doctor and will go to Norfolk if he’s OK.

“We just need arms,” Randolph said. “The bottom line is that with Pedro being out that really clouds things.”

Oliver warmed up during the Yankees’ 16-7 win over the Mets on Sunday but never entered the game. Randolph said Oliver could have started Monday but he made the decision to keep the team’s bullpen and rotation intact to try to set up a big push heading into next week’s All-Star game.

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