FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – Pedro Martinez may miss Boston’s first three days of spring training because of a family medical issue.

The Red Sox ace, who reported after the other pitchers in 2000 and 2001, received permission from the club to report after the team’s first official workout for pitchers and catchers on Saturday.

Martinez “has a very legitimate serious family issue that’s going to be fine but does require his attention,” Boston general manager Theo Epstein said Thursday. He declined to give further details, but the situation is believed to involve the health of a family member.

“He’s going to do everything he can to get down here, but there’s a chance that we might not see him till Monday night,” Epstein said, “but we’ll know more about that in the next couple of days.”

The reasons he reported after the other pitchers in 2000 and 2001 weren’t publicized.

“He’s been a couple of days late in the past,” Epstein said. “This was cleared with the club ahead of time. It’s very legitimate and a serious issue that requires his attention.”

But Epstein is still hopeful that everyone due at the first workout will show up.

Martinez was 14-4 and led the AL with a 2.22 ERA last season, his sixth with the Red Sox.

During that season, the team picked up his option for 2004 for $17.5 million. He is one of six Red Sox players who can become free agents after this season. The others are pitchers Derek Lowe and Scott Williamson, shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, catcher Jason Varitek and designated hitter-first baseman David Ortiz.

Epstein said that it was unrealistic to think the team could retain all of them.

“The finances don’t necessarily add up,” he said, “but that’s not to say that we can’t certainly retain some of the guys and also add some talent.”

He also said he didn’t think it would be a distraction to some or all of those potential free agents to go through the season without being re-signed.

“To do good business and to execute a successful baseball plan, at times you have to be prepared for players to go into the last year of their contract,” Epstein said. “It’s not a panic situation for the player. It’s not a panic situation for the club.

“It’s not always easy to reach agreement on a contract ahead of time and, if both sides are reasonable, it can certainly be done after” the season, he said.

AP-ES-02-19-04 1607EST