The Associated Press

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Enough with the talk of leaving. Pedro Martinez was back on the mound pitching for the Red Sox on Thursday.

The Boston ace threw 31 pitches in two innings, striking out four after a slow start in a 3-0 loss to Minnesota.

"I knew it was going to be a good outing once I threw the first pitch," said Martinez, who gave up two runs and two hits in the first inning, then struck out the side in the second.

He is more confident this spring than a year ago after being limited to 18 games in 2001 by a shoulder injury.

"I am more secure," he said. "I went through a whole season last year and I didn't get hurt and my arm felt great. Especially at the end, I kept feeling better and better and better, and it seems like that has carried over to this spring training."

Martinez came into camp insisting the team exercise his option for 2004 and that he get a contract extension to keep him in Boston for the rest of his career. Without that, he said, he would leave the team.

Martinez said he was confident his demands would be met, and Red Sox ownership said it was confident it could give him what he wants.

"I am comfortable that everything is going to take its place," Martinez said.

TIGERS: Third baseman Dean Palmer, who strained his left hamstring last week, expects to play today against the New York Mets. Utility player Dmitri Young said his stiff back is improving and he hopes to play soon.

YANKEES: Pitcher David Wells had treatment for a sprained left ankle and did not take part in drills. He was hurt in Wednesday's 12-2 loss to Atlanta when he fell on the mound while trying to get out of the way of a groundball, which struck his right foot.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said X-rays were negative.