PHILADELPHIA -- Understandably, Zack Wheeler had been stressed the past few weeks.

Not only was his wife, Dominique, set to deliver their first child in the middle of a global pandemic, but the due date was Saturday, the same day he was scheduled to make his Phillies debut against the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. But sometimes things work out. The Wheelers’ son, Wesley, was born Monday night, a healthy 7 pounds, 12 ounces.

“He was a good sport,” Wheeler said Friday.

Wheeler threw off a mound Thursday and played catch on Friday. He said he will be ready to pitch Saturday.

He is ready to pitch the rest of the season, too. Shortly after Summer Camp opened earlier this month, Wheeler said he would reassess his situation based on the pandemic and how safe he felt at the ballpark.

“They have a safe environment here, I feel like,” Wheeler said. “Our training staff, MLB, the union, everybody put together a good protocol. I feel safe. I do keep my distance and try to be responsible, because it’s not just me that has my wife and baby at home. It’s other players who also may have family or somebody at risk. You’ve got to be responsible, even if you feel like you shouldn’t wear a mask, maybe you will because it’s not just you. You just have to be responsible.

“I’m happy to be here and I’m happy my son is nice and healthy. My wife is, too. Everything is healthy. That’s all I can really ask for. Just two days off of not throwing. Hopefully everything will go well. I feel healthy. I feel in tune. I should be good.”

Hoskins hits second

Manager Joe Girardi’s first Phillies lineup offered no real surprises, although Rhys Hoskins hit second against Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara. Girardi hit Bryce Harper third and J.T. Realmuto fourth. The first-year skipper hopes to keep that look for much of the season against right-handers. He does not like to fiddle with the lineup, although it will look different against left-handers.

“I would hope that guys establish themselves in those spots and we don’t have to make changes,” Girardi said.

The manager explained his decision to hit Hoskins second.

“When you look at Rhys, even some of the struggles that he had last year, he’s an on-base guy,” Girardi said. “I want on-base in front of power. But he offers a lot of power as well. So he’s an on-base and power guy. And when you start talking about American League lineups, which we are basically playing today, there are RBI slots everywhere. But the first time through the lineup we have people who really, really grind out at-bats and could put a pitch count hopefully on their starter. As they get to three, four, five, hopefully it becomes a long inning.”

Roman Quinn started in center field, but like Girardi said multiple times this summer, he expects both Quinn and Adam Haseley to play there.

Girardi talks Harper, who talks J.T.

Harper has been clear that he wants the Phillies to re-sign J.T. Realmuto, who is expected to become a free agent after the season. Harper said Wednesday that he extended the length of his 13-year, $330 million contract to lower its average annual value to $25.4 million per season. Harper and the Phillies touted the AAV as something that should provide the organization more financial flexibility in the future.

“Bryce has a platform where he’s speaking up,” Girardi said. “I’m OK with it. I want players to be close. I want players to try to attract talent. I have no issues with it. I don’t think it’s wrong to pull for a guy of J.T.’s quality and want to keep him here.”

Eflin will start Tuesday

Girardi said right-hander Zach Eflin felt fine on Friday, following a four-inning, 60-pitch simulated game on Thursday.

He will make his season debut on Tuesday against the Yankees. Eflin missed time earlier in camp because of lower back spasms, putting him behind schedule.