Atlanta, GA -- (Sports Network) - New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez has left the team to be with his ailing father in the Dominican Republic, according to a report on the team's web site.

Martinez has been working to recover from a strained left hamstring and there were indications that he could have been ready to rejoin the big league roster by early June, but his family issues could delay his return.

The elder Martinez is suffering from a brain tumor and on Tuesday the New York Post reported that the 36-year-old pitcher is considering retirement following the 2008 campaign.

Martinez originally suffered the hamstring injury during his first start of the season on April 1. He left after just 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk in a 5-4 New York loss.

The veteran right-hander is in the final season of a four-year deal he signed with the Mets after helping the Boston Red Sox capture a World Series title in 2004. He missed most of the 2007 campaign with a rotator cuff injury and could not pitch in the 2006 playoffs because of a calf problem.

Martinez, a three-time Cy Young winner and an eight-time All-Star has a career record of 209-93 with a 2.81 earned run average in parts of 17 big league seasons with the Mets, Red Sox, Montreal Expos and Los Angeles Dodgers.