Washington Nationals’ Enny Romero smiles as he waits for batting practice June 19 before a game against the Miami Marlins in Miami.

CINCINNATI – Former Bowling Green Hot Rods pitcher Enny Romero was getting ready for another season with the Tampa Bay Rays, but the plans changed right before spring training.

Instead of Tampa Bay, Romero was headed to the Washington Nationals after a Feb. 7 trade.

The left-hander has made the most of his surroundings, in the midst of his best season in his brief MLB career as part of Washington’s bullpen.

Romero said the trade was the most surprised he had ever been in life.

“It was really a surprise for me because Tampa called me in the morning to tell me my flight was ready to come to Tampa and see you for spring training,” Romero said before Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark.

“After that they called me and said they had traded me to the Nationals. I was surprised. I said thank yous to the organization and everybody.”

Romero hasn’t taken long to make a name for himself with Nationals.

Entering Saturday’s game, Romero is 2-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 37 appearances for Washington.

After allowing seven earned runs through his first 11 innings he has allowed nine earned runs since May 1 – including a sparking 0.57 ERA in June.

He pitched one perfect inning in Saturday’s 10-7 win, striking out the side.

Romero said he has worked on his mechanics and delivery and has gained confidence with each outing.

“Everything is going well,” Romero said. “I am confident. I’m throwing strikes. That is the key for me this year – throw strikes. I have confidence in my team and they are confident in me to give me an opportunity.”

And while Washington is a long way from his days in Bowling Green, when he made 26 starts and went 5-5 with a 4.26 ERA in 2011, Romero said it was a good experience and he still looks back fondly on his time with the Hot Rods.

“That was my second year in the United States,” Romero said. “It was hard because I knew very little English. I lived with my friends Victor Mateo and Braulio Lara. We lived together and helped each other out and that was one of the main reasons I loved (my time) in Kentucky.”