Early (4-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Royals, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 6.1 innings.
Early made only two mistakes Wednesday: serving up a solo homer to Salvador Perez in the first innings while Elias Diaz later took the left-hander deep for a two-run shot in the fifth. Early was still able to log a quality start, his fourth in his last seven outings, and he's allowed more than three runs in just one of 10 starts to begin 2026. After struggling with walks earlier in the year, Early has issued one or no free passes in three straight outings. The rookie owns a 3.33 ERA and 50:19 K:BB across 54 innings, though his xERA (4.72) suggests some regression could be in store. Home runs have also been an issue, as he's now surrendered nine on the season and seven over his last five starts.