NEW YORK -- In words contrary to what was said when Pedro Martinez strained his left hamstring two weeks ago, Mets general manager Omar Minaya said Tuesday that Martinez is unlikely to resume throwing for two to four weeks. That scenario would have the Mets' No. 2 starting pitcher unavailable to pitch at the big league level until late May or early June.

Minaya indicated that Martinez has done nothing but rest his hamstring since he strained it in the Mets' second game on April 1, and said Martinez, who is in Florida, doesn't even go to the team's complex in Port St. Lucie.

"It's real light work," Minaya said. "He doesn't do much. We're still in the early stage."

Martinez is due to be examined late this week or early next week, the general manager said.

The night of the injury, the club said Martinez was expected to return to pitching in the big leagues in four to six weeks, a prognosis consistent with the diagnosis of "mild." Manager Willie Randolph subsequently suggested an eight-week absence was more likely.

The Mets' definition of "mild strain" seems rather expansive in that Jose Reyes' hamstring strain was announced as "mild," and he returned to play Tuesday, three nights after the injury.