Speculation of call-up swirls after Baez pulled from game

Could Iowa Cubs infielder Javier Baez be headed back to the big leagues?

Let the speculation begin.

The hard-hitting Baez was removed in the middle of an inning during Iowa's 7-5 loss at Oklahoma City Sunday, prompting speculation that he could be going back to the majors.

Baez, who made the final out of the top half of the sixth inning, came out of the game with two outs in the bottom half of it as part of a double switch.

According to a team spokesperson, the decision to remove Baez during the game was not injury related.

Baez finished the game going 0-for-3 with a strikeout having his hitting streak come to an end at seven games.

The infielder has been one of Iowa's hottest hitters. After a 3-for-4 performance on May 15, Baez talked about his recent run of success.

"I think I found my swing," Baez said after the game. "Well, I don't think, I know I found my swing."

Adding to the intrigue to the situation is Tommy La Stella, who is in the midst of a rehab assignment with the double-A Tennessee Smokies, who left midway through Sunday's game after reportedly suffering a tweak."

The 22-year-old Baez is still considered one of baseball's brightest young stars. Baez, who began the 2014 season with Iowa, struggled in his first big league promotion later that season hitting .169 with 95 strikeouts in 52 games with Chicago.

Baez is currently hitting .299 with Iowa.

The Dodgers jumped on the I-Cubs early, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning off of right-hander Dallas Beeler. Beeler lasted four innings while giving up seven hits, two walks and adding five strikeouts.

Iowa (18-19) got back into the game with a four-run fifth inning, which included a Jonathan Mota solo home run, but Oklahoma City first baseman Andy Wilkins responded in the bottom of the frame with a solo homer of his own.

Game 3 of the four-game series at Oklahoma City (26-11) starts at 7:05 p.m. Monday.