updated 5:46 p.m. ET July 12, 2008

NEW YORK - Mets right-hander Pedro Martinez left his start against the Colorado Rockies after the fourth inning Saturday with tightness in his right shoulder, though the injury is not considered serious.

Martinez walked Matt Holliday on five pitches leading off the fourth when he began flexing and stretching his shoulders. Manager Jerry Manuel and a trainer came out for a short visit, but Martinez stayed in the game and retired Garrett Atkins on a fly ball.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner had not allowed a hit until Brad Hawpe followed Atkins with a single. Martinez got out of the inning when Chris Iannetta grounded into a double play.

Nick Evans pinch hit for Martinez and struck out with the bases loaded. Martinez was replaced by Carlos Muniz to start the fifth inning, and the bullpen held the Rockies hitless the rest of the way in a 3-0 win.

Martinez said a groin injury he sustained running the bases in Philadelphia on Monday caused his stride to be off, putting more strain on his surgically repaired shoulder. He lobbied to stay in the game and, with extra time off for the All-Star break, is not expected to miss a start.

“I thought I could at least give it a try and see how I felt,” said Martinez, who was checked by doctors immediately after leaving. “Jerry said ’No,’ and was really stubborn this time.”

The oft-injured Martinez missed about two months earlier this season with a strained left hamstring. He also missed most of last season after having surgery on his right shoulder late in 2006.

Martinez, who walked around the clubhouse with a large ice pack on his right hip and groin before the game, threw 66 pitches with three walks and three strikeouts.

“There’s no question he’ll make his next start,” Manuel said. “Any time those guys do something out of the ordinary, we try to be proactive.”

The 36-year-old Martinez has struggled when he’s been healthy, carrying an unsightly 6.86 ERA into his eighth start since coming off the disabled list. Manuel has said part of the problem is Martinez has been tipping his pitches.

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