Veteran pitcher James Shields insists he's OK with being passed over to start on Opening Day for the Padres.

He'd still like the ball over Tyson Ross, though. The competitive streak in the 34-year-old right-hander doesn't allow for anything else.

"I've been in this situation before," Shields said Saturday. "I think in 2011, David P{rice [in Tampa Bay] took my Opening Day start after three years. And I got it right back the next year."