Cease could just be a half-year rental because of all the starting pitchers on Houston's injured list. The Astros have a full rotation sidelined. Lance McCullers, Luis Garcia, Ronel Blanco, Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier and J.P. France are all on the injured list.

Cease, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, would be a rental for the current AL West leaders.

However, Cease remains the most attractive target for Crane, who has shown a willingness to cross the luxury tax line for the right talent. With 17 players on the injured list, the Astros would prefer not to trade controllable young talent.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Framber Valdez's critical comments about defensive positioning are "in the past" after the two had a "good conversation."

Houston ace Framber Valdez expresses frustration over defensive positioning during the Astros' loss to the Washington Nationals.

Framber Valdez calls out the Houston Astros over their defensive positioning against the Washington Nationals.