BOSTON (AP) – Wade Miller isn’t looking at his first start with Boston as a tuneup for longer outings later in the season – he expects to give the Red Sox a quality start right away.

Miller, who has been out with a frayed rotator cuff since last June when he played for Houston, will make his first start for the Red Sox today in the second game of a doubleheader against the Seattle Mariners.

“I want to throw 100 pitches my first time out,” Miller said after Saturday’s game was postponed because of rain.

“I don’t want to throw 75 pitches and have the bullpen come bail me out.”

The Red Sox will start Jeremi Gonzalez (0-0) against Joel Pineiro (2-2) in the first game, which begins at noon. The Mariners are scheduled to start Ryan Franklin (1-4) in the second game, which begins at 5 p.m.

Miller, limited to 15 starts last season with the Astros before going on the disabled list June 26 with a right shoulder strain, was non-tendered by the Astros during the offseason and signed as a free agent by Boston.

After a spending the winter working his way back to the majors, Miller is excited the day has finally come.

“I realized I had to work hard to get back to where I am,” he said. “I realized I can’t take anything for granted (anymore).”

In the second of two rehabilitation starts with Triple-A Pawtucket last Tuesday, Miller threw 95 pitches, allowed four runs on five hits, walked four and struck out seven. His fastball topped out at 96 mph.

He expects the adrenaline to flow on Sunday.

“I probably haven’t been this excited since the playoffs four years ago,” he said.

His return comes at an opportune time for Boston’s depleted rotation, with starters David Wells and Curt Schilling both sidelined with injuries.

Miller acknowledges that he understands why the Astros decided not to bring him back, but admitted that he has some added incentive this year.

“A part of me wants to show I can have a good season and show I wasn’t done,” said the 28-year-old right-hander.

Miller, entering his fifth season, has a career mark of 58-37. He was 16-8 in 2001, 15-4 in 2002, 14-13 in 2003 and 7-7 last year.

In two rehab starts, Red Sox pitching coach Dave Wallace worked on changing his delivery a bit to put less pressure on his shoulder.

“Just a little tinkering here and there that will stop me from having the ball come across my body,” Miller said. “I don’t think I’ll be throwing as hard as I was when I was 100 percent a few years ago.”

AP-ES-05-07-05 1916EDT