The Yankees waited an extra three months for the return of Luis Severino.

It cost them the chance to have Severino bolster their rotation, but the right-hander has given them the next-best thing: a versatile threat out of the bullpen.

Severino has been sharp in four relief outings since returning after a long road back from Tommy John surgery and two subsequent setbacks that resulted in more than 23 months between big league appearances. He has offered the Yankees a valuable weapon to unleash on opponents as they chase a playoff spot and more.

“I mean, I’m really happy about it,” manager Aaron Boone said Friday before the Yankees hosted the Rays in the opener of the final series of the regular season. “Because of the long layoff, I guess technically you never know exactly. But I think he’s been preparing for this for a long time.

“Obviously he’s going to be a starter for us moving forward in the future, but I think he relishes pitching when it matters. These are obviously big games that he’s pitched in. But it has been encouraging to see him be as sharp as he is with all his pitches.”

Entering Friday, Severino had not allowed a run in four outings, which spanned six innings. He had given up just two hits — both in his debut — while walking one and striking out eight. Severino initially got to ease into action, pitching with a six-run lead in his first game back, but has taken on higher-leverage situations since in key games against the Red Sox and Blue Jays.

It is up for debate in which role Severino would have the most value for the Yankees: as a multi-inning reliever who would then need more time in between outings or a one-inning reliever who could be used more frequently in critical, late-inning spots.

Boone used Severino in two-inning stints for his first two appearances (with three days off in between), then in one-inning stints the past two outings (with only one day of rest in between).

“It just depends on how the games play out,” Boone said. “In Toronto, where I used him in the first game and the third game, that’s going to be a one-inning scenario. When he’s had a couple days down, then there’s the opportunity to use him more than an inning. Then, what else do we have down there on a given night? The games will dictate it. The schedule and usage of guys all factor into those kind of things. How he’s doing, how he’s bouncing back, how he’s recovering, how he’s feeling — all those things factor into what his role is on a given night.”

The Yankees hope to have more opportunities to make that decision. They entered Friday with a chance to clinch a wild-card spot, which would guarantee them at least a game on Tuesday and possibly more after that.

Boone said he would be “a little reluctant” to use Severino on back-to-back days, so the righty figures to pitch once more this weekend before being available for the possible wild-card game Tuesday — when he could be just that, the ultimate wild card for the Yankees in the win-or-go-home setting.

Regardless of how he is used, Severino has been a big boost for the Yankees’ bullpen at a time when it was needed most. He arrived off the IL — after having his return delayed by a groin strain and then shoulder tightness — during a stretch in which the bullpen had been taxed with a heavy workload and was without Jonathan Loaisiga.

Now, Severino has joined Loaisiga, Chad Green and Clay Holmes as bridges to closer Aroldis Chapman. Severino’s fastball has gained more life with each outing — from an average of 94.5 mph in his debut to 96.9 mph Thursday night in Toronto. His changeup has also been a difference -maker, inducing five of his eight strikeouts.