Owner Ewing Kauffman said he'll happily give his approval if team officials want to make Hal McRae manager of the Kansas City Royals.

"He's got the intensity and drive that would be wonderful for us," Kauffman said yesterday, one day after reluctantly giving his permission to fire John Wathan.

McRae, team leader and unofficial captain of the Royals during their decade of dominance in the American League West, confirmed he was meeting with team officials last night in Chicago.

Royals president Joe Burke and general manager Herk Robinson haven't denied their interest in McRae, a member of the team's Hall of Fame who was offered the job in August 1987 ahead of Wathan.

There had been speculation Kauffman was unhappy with McRae for turning down the job initially and for not appearing when the Royals inducted him into their Hall in 1989.

Also being mentioned as possible replacements are former New York Mets manager Davey Johnson and Pat Dobson, who joined the Royals this year as pitching coach. Dobson indicated Wednesday he did not want to discuss his possibilities of getting the job. Johnson said Thursday he hadn't been contacted.

* GIANTS: Outfielder Kevin Mitchell, who has 10 home runs, underwent tests that show he has a strained ligament in his left knee. He was sent home for further evaluation.

Manager Roger Craig said Mitchell may go on the disabled list and will be examined again by the Giants team physician to determine the severity of the injury. The knee swelled up Wednesday.