“Something we've just got to be patient with” - Yankees manager Aaron Boone backs DJ LeMahieu amid slump following return

Third baseman DJ LeMahieu returned to the Yankees lineup during last week of May after missing the first two months due to a non-displaced fracture in his right foot. However, he hasn't been looking himself at the plate, with him only slashing .185/.280/.185 with a dismal .465 OPS.

Despite the ongoing slump, Yankees manager Aaron Boone is confident in him finding his form and said that he has "a lot" of runway.

"It's just something we've just got to be patient with and hope that he continues to work through and eventually clicks through, so he gets rolling and can become that presence we know he can be," Boone said via Bryan Hoch.

Interestingly, so far, LeMahieu has zero extra-base hits in the 21 games he has appeared in this season. In the last five games, he has only mustered three hits, leaving fans worried.

DJ LeMahieu announced in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets

Amid the uncertainty, DJ LeMahieu was announced in the lineup card that will go up against David Peterson and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday. The third baseman is going through a slump and many expected him to sit out on this road game.

One reason why Boone has so much confidence in DJ is due to his batting practice, where he finds him good. Boone believes DJ will eventually find his rhythm.

“I do,” the manager said. “I see it in his BP especially. But then again, you go through a long layoff and you’re kind of start and stop and getting yourself going. Even for as good a hitter as he is, sometimes it takes a minute to get in that rhythm. So he’s getting there. I don’t think he’s far off.”

After Saturday's game, where DJ LeMahieu picked up an RBI, he feels he is getting better.

“I feel alright,” LeMahieu said after that performance. “We just haven’t got that consistent kind of groove yet. Kind of here, kind of there. But overall, I feel like I’ve been in a better and better spot.”

The Yankees are having a strong season, leading the AL East and looking well on their way to a deep postseason run. However, they'll need everyone to perform consistently if they want to end their World Series drought this season.