BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Joyner Comfortable in Kansas City

Wally Joyner loves Kansas City because “it reminds me of home,” that being his childhood abode in Georgia. But because his own children were born in California, Yorba Linda “is where we call home,” he said. And although he now lives in Lee’s Summit, Mo., a suburb of Kansas City, there is no telling where he will call home next season.

“I have a one-year contract,” he said. “It’s not in my best interest to buy a house.”

He might not be sure of his address, but Joyner feels at home with the Royals, who wooed him away from the Angels in December with a $4.2-million contract and the promise of free agency after the season. One of the few bright notes in Kansas City’s 1-10 start--he is hitting .295--Joyner said he enjoys his new surroundings.

“I love it. The last couple of days have been very comfortable on and off the field,” said Joyner, who stipulated he wouldn’t discuss his departure or co-owner Jackie Autry, whose alleged indifference was a factor in his rejection of the club’s four-year, $15.75-million contract.

He refused to rehash the past “because you don’t gain anything from it,” he said. However, he backhandedly referred to it by saying he and other newcomers to the Royals had received “a warm welcome such as ‘You’re important to this ballclub and we need you,’ ” implying he didn’t get similar assurances from Angel executives.

“It’s a slower pace here, less crowded,” he said of Kansas City. “My concern is with my family and my kids. The school they’re going to is a great, old-fashioned school, with a brick schoolyard.

“The atmosphere in the clubhouse would not give off a feeling that we’re 1-9 (before Friday’s loss). It’s a very positive, up-beat, non-pressure, non-panic situation.”

Bobby Rose’s left shoulder was sore Friday as a result of his diving catch Thursday at Texas. However, it’s not the shoulder on which Rose had arthroscopic surgery in December. . . . Mark Langston and Scott Bailes, both of whom have hip injuries, threw beneath the stands Friday. Chuck Finley, who has a sore big toe, worked out and will throw again Sunday. He might make his season debut Wednesday at Oakland. . . . Manager Buck Rodgers said that getting outfielder John Morris more at-bats “is my No. 1 concern.” Morris has three at-bats in four games.