Brandon Finnegan, who was part of the package the Kansas City Royals sent the Cincinnati Reds for Johnny Cueto, isn't happy with how his former team used him this season.

The Royals used Finnegan as both a starter and reliever prior to the trade.

"The Royals kind of screwed me over this year," Finnegan said. "I wouldn't have done what I did if it wasn't for them last year. But you could tell they just didn't have a clue what to do with me."

The Reds declared Finnegan a starter when they acquired him in July. He started games at TCU and later in 2014 with the Royals. In a surprise move Cincinnati will promote him on Tuesday and use him out of the bullpen.

"I like starting," said Finnegan, selected 17th overall by the Royals in the June draft last year. "Once I'm in that mentality, it's one of those things where it can get pretty scary for other people. Getting back into it has been tough, but I've got a great team to do it with. These guys have been very welcoming."