Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez, who said ealier this week that he was considering retirement so he can spend time with his ailing father, said Wednesday that he wants to play at least two more seasons, according to ESPNdeportes.com.

Martinez is in the Dominican Republic and has delayed plans to test his ailing hamstring.

"I feel great physically and for the record I haven't considered retirement," he said. "Retirement would only take place if my arm is badly hurt and if I have to face surgery or something near that nature."

The three-time Cy Young Award winner pitched 4 1/3 innings in a simulated game Monday in Port St. Lucie, Fla., before heading home to be with his father, Pablo Jaime, 78, who has brain cancer.

"I have said this before and I'll say it again: I want to pitch at least for two or three more seasons," he said. "I'm completing the workouts and doing a great job. My arm feels excellent and the speed is showing, throwing well over the 90 miles-per-hour mark."

Martinez, 36, has been on the disabled list since April 2 with a strained left hamstring. He suffered the injury in his only start on April 1 against the Florida Marlins, when he gave up four hits and four runs in 3 1-3 innings.

Mets manager Willie Randolph said the trip to the Dominican Republic may not affect plans for Martinez to return before the end of the month, possibly for a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers from May 29-31.

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