J.J. McCarthy's misfires at QB stand out for the Vikings in a 13-3 preseason loss to the Ravens

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — J.J. McCarthy had an erratic start for the Minnesota Vikings, completing 5 of 10 passes for 81 yards in a 13-3 exhibition loss to Baltimore on Saturday, while undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano threw a touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester for the Ravens.

McCarthy played four series with the second-team offense before yielding to 11-year veteran Carson Wentz, leaving the picture unclear about who will be the No. 2 quarterback behind Kyler Murray.

“We want to keep giving those guys opportunities,” said coach Kevin O'Connell, who'd planned to give McCarthy a little more playing time but decided to pull him after a couple of hard hits left him walking gingerly off the field.

The 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, who missed his rookie year while recovering from knee surgery and was limited by 10 starts last season because of multiple injuries, misfired to open receivers multiple times. After deftly moving up in the pocket for a 50-yard completion to Tai Felton midway through the first quarter, McCarthy threw too hard into the end zone twice for incompletions — resulting in a turnover on downs.

Myles Price was wide open in the front corner on fourth-and-1, but McCarthy sailed the ball over the 5-foot-9 receiver.

“Just throws I’ve got to make. We called great plays, but at the end of the day I know I can make those throws,” McCarthy said. “It’s great to have that experience logged in and that data logged in to be able to make that throw next time.”

Max Brosmer played the entire second half at quarterback for the Vikings, going 11 for 17 for 98 yards. He was intercepted by rookie free safety Silas Walters at the Baltimore 18 as the last two possessions for the Vikings ended with turnovers. Rookie outside linebacker Ethan Burke forced a fumble with his tackle of Jeshaun Jones after an 11-yard reception had given Minnesota a first down near midfield.

Tyler Loop made two field goals and had four strong kickoffs for the Ravens, who also rested the majority of their starting lineup after two days of joint practices with the Vikings.

The second-team offense with Tyler Huntley at quarterback stalled out, but Fagnano fared well with the deep reserves while completing 15 of 20 passes for 123 yards. Rookie tight end Josh Cuevas caught three passes for 46 yards from Fagnano, who finished his seven-year college career at UConn.

“He’s awesome. He's great to be around. He just wants to make everybody else better on and off the field,” Cuevas said. “He’s a general out there whenever he gets his chances.”

New coach Jesse Minter had the Ravens' defense in prime form in the joint practices at Minnesota's facility this week, and the second-teamers kept up the momentum at U.S. Bank Stadium. Over two preseason games, the Ravens have allowed a total of 10 points.

Keondre Jackson, the backup strong safety beginning his second season, had seven tackles, one of Baltimore's five sacks, and one of its nine quarterback hits.

“We preach not having a drop-off in our back end on the defense, so the ones hold us accountable,” Jackson said. “The twos and threes want to follow suit.”

Burke, who was undrafted out of Texas, had a sack, two hits and two passes defensed.

“The way he practices, just the way he carries himself, I'm very impressed with him,” outside linebacker Mike Green said. “I'm surprised that he was an undrafted free agent, but I'm glad he's here.”

Baltimore hosts Washington on Friday on the final weekend of preseason games. Minnesota plays at Denver.

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws against pressure by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ethan Burke (45) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings running back Jermar Jefferson, left, is tackled by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marquise Robinson, right, during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Fagnano (12) throws against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Bangally Kamara (59) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Baltimore Ravens place kicker Tyler Loop (33), with punter Ryan Eckley holding, kicks a 20-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Baltimore Ravens safety Silas Walters (36) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani faced teammate Will Smith in live batting practice on Saturday, but there's no definitive timeline for the two-way superstar to return to pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Wearing long sleeves, Ohtani threw 30 pitches under a blazing sun in 93-degree (34 Celsius) heat and ended the session by giving a thumbs-up.

Among those looking on were pitching coach Mark Prior and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, fellow MVPs Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, and some of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“We're getting there,” manager Dave Roberts said afterward. “If it were up to Shohei, he'd be in a game in a few days.”

Ohtani hasn't pitched in a game since July 3 because of lingering soreness in his left knee, which is his landing leg while pitching.

“I'd like to think the knee thing is behind us,” Roberts said.

Ohtani is likely to throw another live session next week. Once he returns to the rotation, Roberts said he'll be limited to one, two or three innings as part of a slow buildup.

“The lives are good because you’re actually facing hitters and you can see the mechanics and how they play,” the manager said.

The goal is for Ohtani to be able to make full-length starts once the Dodgers begin their quest for a third consecutive World Series championship in October.

“I could sit here and say, ‘Yeah, six innings when we start the postseason,’” Roberts said, “but he’s still got to do the work and get there, and he’s got to pass some tests and markers. That’s probably the goal, but we still got a ways to get there.”

Meanwhile, Tyler Glasnow will rejoin the rotation and is expected to start Tuesday in Atlanta. It'll be the right-hander's first start since May 6, before he was sidelined with lower back spasms and went on the 60-day IL.

Glasnow will rejoin a rotation of Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.

Roberts said Justin Wrobleski is expected to move to the bullpen when the injured starters return.

Closer Edwin Díaz played catch Friday while on the 15-day IL with neck inflammation. He's using the time to rest mechanically after struggling with injuries in his first season with the team.

Roberts indicated Díaz won't be rushed back into the closer's role.

“It's more of getting him back healthy and then putting him in some softer landing situations to get the confidence, to get the feel and the trust of executing pitches,” he said, “and then at that point in time we’ll go from there.”

All-Star outfielder Andy Pages went on the injured list Saturday with a left hand fracture after getting hit by a pitch from Pirates starter Bubba Chandler a night earlier.

“I think they’re probably leaning toward some type of surgery,” Roberts said. “Four weeks is the floor for him to be back with us. Like I told him in the X-ray room, the season’s not over for him and we expect him back full health.”

The team recalled outfielder Alek Thomas from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Thomas was traded to the Dodgers in mid-May from the Arizona Diamondbacks. He'll play center against right-handed pitchers, while Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández could see time against left-handers.

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani warms up with a trainer prior to a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani warms up with a trainer prior to a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)