Gomes is traded to Kansas City

The unloading of veterans continued for the Braves, who traded outfielder Jonny Gomes to the Kansas City Royals on Monday night. It’s believed they will get minor league infielder Luis Valenzuela in the deal.

Valenzuela, who turned 22 last week, has hit .364 with three triples, four homers and nine stolen bases in 55 games this season, including eight rookie-league games and 47 games at Single-A Lexington.

The Dominican Republic native has a .291 career average, .330 OBP, 10 triples, six homers and 16 stolen bases in 514 plate appearances (126 games) in parts of four minor league seasons, including rookie-ball stints in the previous three years before his first promotion to Single-A this year.

The Braves might also send cash to the Royals to help cover part of the less than $1 million remaining on Gomes’ $4 million salary.

Gomes, a 13-year veteran and one of the most popular players in the Braves clubhouse, hit .223 with a .327 OBP, seven homers and 22 RBIs in 226 at-bats as a left fielder and pinch-hitter before Monday, when he was 0-for-2 before being removed from the Braves’ game against the Marlins after the fifth inning.

Gomes was 18-for-63 (.286) with four homers, a .400 OBP and .508 slugging percentage in 31 games going back to July 3.

Against left-handers, his primary role, Gomes hit .247 (18-for73) with five homers, 14 RBIs and a .412 OBP and .466 slugging percentage before Monday.

Gomes