The left-hander went 5-9 with a 5.63 ERA as a starter last year before he went on the disabled list July 18 with tendinitis in his right knee. He returned in September and pitched out of the bullpen, going 1-1 with a 9.45 ERA in nine relief appearances.

Miller said it doesn't feel as if it's been nine months since his last major league start. That's because his last spring training start was March 30. He went 0-2 with a 5.03 ERA in six spring games.

"I try to take those spring training starts as seriously as I could," he said. "I wasn't in a position to go out and say I was just working on stuff. I had to go out and compete like I would in a regular-season game."

Miller has no record and a 3.86 ERA in two relief appearances this season. He is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in four games (two starts) against the Braves. Both wins came at Turner Field, including one in 2007 with Detroit Tigers.

MARLINS 5, BRAVES 1: Chris Volstad provided a decent encore to Josh Johnson's complete game. Volstad allowed one run in seven innings, improving to 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his two starts. Dan Uggla had three RBIs, while Emilio Bonifacio and John Baker each scored twice. The bullpen had its most solid game of the year so far, as Leo Nunez and Matt Lindstrom tossed scoreless innings.