Kansas City, Mo. ? Reliever Dan Reichert, who struggled in the first game of a doubleheader Monday, was sent to the minors by the Kansas City Royals before the second game started.

Reichert was 3-5 with a 5.32 ERA in 30 appearances. He gave up three runs on three walks and a home run by Herbert Perry in the ninth inning of Kansas City’s 8-6 victory.

Reichert was optioned to Triple-A Omaha.

Also Monday, Chuck Knoblauch, who has been on the disabled list since June 6 because of a strained left forearm, was sent Monday to Double-A Wichita to begin an injury rehabilitation assignment.

“I’ve never been in this situation before, so I don’t have a timetable when I’ll be back,” Knoblauch said.

Knoblauch, who signed with Kansas City as a free agent after four seasons with the New York Yankees, was hitting only .167 with seven extra-base hits in 42 games with the Royals.

“There is no pain,” Knoblauch said after taking batting practice Monday.