Sporting Kansas City midfielder Alex Martinez released.

In a surprise move this afternoon, Sporting Kansas City released midfielder Alex Martinez from the club. Martinez had recently been a substitute in the last three Sporting KC matches, scoring his first professional goal and logging significant minutes in the midfield. He started three matches in his short tenure with Sporting Kansas City. Martinez was a third round draft pick by Sporting Kansas City and the last remaining draft pick on the squad from 2014.

Accompanying this move was Mikey Lopez being recalled from Oklahoma City FC. Lopez tallied a goal and an assist in 14 combined matches with Sporting Kansas City affiliates Orlando City SC and OKCFC.

There are now 27 players out of the maximum 30 on Sporting Kansas City squad. Those go down to 25 when you consider Chance Myers and Ike Opara being on Injured Reserve, plus Peterson Joseph taking up a slot as well.

With the transfer window opening up one week from tomorrow, one can make a case for Martinez being cut in order to make room for new players. There have been rumors of a deal with defensive midfielder Jorge Claros for the past couple of weeks and other, less concrete rumors that epitomize the silly season.

Until we know for sure, this is a head-scratcher of a release. There's certainly a good reason for it, considering his play as of late.