Insider Provides Update on Potential Contract Extensions for Astros' Jeremy Pena and Hunter Brown originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After emerging as the hottest team in the MLB in June, the Houston Astros have seen several young players step up in the absence of injured DH Yordan Alvarez and the struggling first-year 1B Christian Walker.

It appears the Houston Astros will have to wait to sign their rising star shortstop to a contract extension. The New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Wednesday that Jeremy Pena and the Astros were in "serious long-term contract talks" before the shortstop switched agents to Scott Boras.

Michael Shapiro is a sports reporter for Chron, covering the Astros, Rockets, Texans and every team in town. Michael is a Denver native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and a noted fan of pull-up threes, wide-receiver passes and a good hot fudge sundae.