Report: Astros scouted Darvish's last start

Yu Darvish might not even have to leave the Lone Star State should he be traded this season.

The Houston Astros reportedly scouted the Texas Rangers right-hander's start Friday night, sources told Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Despite leading the American League West by 17 games, the Astros are still looking to make a splash in the starting pitching market. They were linked to Jose Quintana before he was dealt to the Chicago Cubs, and also been said to have varying levels of interest in Sonny Gray and Justin Verlander.

The likelihood of the Rangers trading Darvish has grown since the All-Star break, and his 12-strikeout performance against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday has only added to outside interest.

Darvish, a free agent at the end of the year, owns a 3.44 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 143 strikeouts over 133 1/3 innings this season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Cubs have also all been linked to Darvish.