After serving a five-game suspension, Detroit Tigers ace Framber Valdez is ready to put the drama behind him and get back on the mound. The $115 million left-hander returns to the rotation Wednesday night against the New York Mets, but the sting of what happened earlier this month still lingers.

"Like I said after that game, I don't think it was fair," Valdez told reporters through interpreter Carlos Guillen on Tuesday.

The controversy dates back to May 5, when Major League Baseball ruled Valdez intentionally threw at Boston Red Sox infielder Trevor Story. The incident occurred after Valdez surrendered back-to-back home runs, and while tempers flared, no punches or shoves were exchanged. However, home plate umpire Adam Beck ejected Valdez without issuing a prior warning—a decision that left the pitcher frustrated. The following day, MLB handed down a five-game suspension for Valdez and a one-game ban for manager AJ Hinch.

"I felt pretty bad," Valdez admitted. "I had to be away. I was not allowed to be in the clubhouse during the games. It was sad to have to leave my teammates in the dugout and go back to the hotel and watch the games on television."

Valdez acknowledged that his absence put the team in a tough spot, especially with three starters already on the injured list. But now, he's focused on the road ahead.

"The suspension is over now," he said. "I'm going back on the mound and help my team win. That's the focus."

In preparation for his return, Valdez rewound the tape—painful as it was—and watched the entire game. He studied both the analytics and his mechanics, searching for any signs that Red Sox hitters might have been stealing his pitch grips from second base. His conclusion? No changes needed.

"I will keep the same mechanics," Valdez said. "Just be consistent with every movement on every pitch. I have to keep my focus on the hitter, regardless of who is on second base or what the situation is. Keep the same mechanics, the same everything and focus on what's going on at the plate."

Fans can expect to see Valdez back in his signature big red glove—the same one he's trusted for the last five days. With a clean slate and a renewed mindset, the Tigers' ace is ready to deliver.