Mat Latos was only 5 at the time, but he remembers going to the Marlins' inaugural game in 1993.

``[Jeff] Conine hit a double off the right-center-field wall,'' Latos recalled.

And Latos was there to watch the Marlins in the 1997 playoffs.

``We were here when they played the Giants,'' Latos said. ``I was here at Game 4 and Game 5.''

Latos even has the souvenir Marlins pennants he collected from 1993 through '98. On Sunday, the 21-year-old rookie pitcher from Margate will be trying to beat the team he grew up following.

``Other than my debut, this is probably the most important start I've had, being that it's in my hometown,'' the Padres right-hander said.

Latos isn't the first pitcher from Broward County that the Marlins have encountered this season. They took on Ryan Sadowski of the San Francisco Giants in July.

Latos attended Coconut Creek High and Broward Community College before he was selected by the Padres in the 11th round of the 2006 amateur draft.

He has risen quickly through the Padres' system, and on July 19 made his big-league debut. Latos is 4-3 with a 4.06 earned-run average.

He is expecting a large contingent of family and friends to show up and watch him pitch Sunday.

``I guess, maybe, it's a little added pressure,'' Latos said. ``Everybody wants to do good in their hometown.''

JOHNSON'S RETURN UNCERTAIN

More than likely, injured first baseman Nick Johnson will play in a couple of minor-league games before the Marlins put him back on the field. But when that will be remains uncertain.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Johnson is making progress from a right hamstring injury sustained on Aug. 16, but doubts he'll be ready to play when he's eligible to emerge from the disabled list Tuesday.

• The Marlins would like to acquire pitcher Brad Penny but won't know until he clears release waivers on Monday whether they're successful. The Giants are also reportedly interested in Penny, who was released by the Red Sox on Thursday.

• When Andrew Miller returns from the disabled list, he'll likely wind up in the Marlins' bullpen. Miller, working his way back from a sprained ankle, pitched three innings for the Gulf Coast League Marlins on Friday, giving up one hit and three walks. He struck out five. There is a good chance he'll re-join the Marlins next week after rosters expand.

-- CLARK SPENCER