n 2012.All things being equal, Grevers would have preferr

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Royals recalled left-hander Will Smith and optioned struggling right-hander Kelvin Herrera to Triple-A Omaha in a series of moves before Tuesday nights game against Atlanta. Left-hander Danny Duffy, who has been recovering from Tommy John surgery, was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list and optioned to Omaha. Left-hander Francisley Bueno was designated for assignment to clear roster space. Smith allowed four earned runs in four innings in his only appearance with the Royals earlier this season, but he was 5-3 with a 2.88 ERA at Omaha. Herrera, whos just 3-5 with a 5.20 ERA, is headed to Omaha for the second time this season. The Royals also announced that outfielder Quintin Berry, who was designated for assignment Sunday, had accepted an outright assignment to Omaha.OMAHA, Neb. -- Matt Grevers was usually overshadowed on the powerful U.S. swimming team, coming along in an era that also included Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.Grevers still managed to make quite a mark.After winning four golds and six medals overall at the last two Olympics, Grevers sounded as if his career was over Thursday, just minutes after competing in the 200-meter backstroke at the U.S. swimming trials.Even though he qualified for the evening semifinals, Grevers scratched from the event and has no plans to compete in his remaining race, the 50 freestyle, knowing he wasnt a contender to make the Olympic team in either.I feel like the future of backstroke is in great hands, Grevers said. Theres no room for me.The 31-year-old chuckled a bit, but he was clearly in a reflective mood as he exited pool for what might have been the final time, at least as a top-level competitor.Nothing is set in stone, Grevers said. I really love this sport. Im going to be around it the rest of my life. Im just not positive if Im going to be as competitive as I once was.He was hoping to swim in one more Olympics, but that plan was snuffed out by a third-place finish in the 100 back earlier in the week.Grevers was stunned by the result, knowing he wouldnt get a chance to defend the gold medal he won at the 2012 London Games.But after a couple of days to reflect -- and plenty of love from those around him -- he sounded content with the impact hes made on the sport.The fans have been awesome, very loving, Grevers said. Parents, coaches, friends, teammates, theyve all been supportive and loving. I feel like I couldnt have had a better career. Everyone appreciates who I am, and that probably means more to me than anything.At 6-foot-8, Grevers was one of the most imposing figures on the pool deck. But his llaid-back personality and ever-present smile always made him one of the most approachable figures on the national team.dddddddddddd.He was impressive in the water, as well.Grevers won a silver medal in the 100 back at the 2008 Beijing Games, and followed up with his first individual gold in London. He was a stalwart of the relays, earning a pair of golds in 4x100 medley and another in the 4x100 freestyle relay, to go along with a silver in the 4x100 free relay in 2012.All things being equal, Grevers would have preferred to keep swimming. But he is fully aware of the financial limitations of trying to carry on after missing out on the Olympics.The sport of swimming is unforgiving, he said. Theres not too many ways to make a livelihood in swimming unless youre pretty much on the Olympics team.Grevers and his wife, Annie, are expecting their first child in November.Ive got to think about supporting the growing family, he said. Ill probably still swim, to be honest, but Ive got to start that next step in life, get a real job.Grevers mentioned coaching as a possibility. Commercial real estate is another option.No matter what comes next, he will always be proud of what he did in the pool.Theres always that battle: When do you step away? On top? Where would I feel satisfied? Grevers said. I feel very satisfied. I didnt bomb or anything. I got third. Its a tough sport. But its not a bad spot to maybe separate a little bit.Ill probably keep swimming, he added, but Im not going to put everything into swimming, like I have forever.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry . ' ' '