Throughout the 2008 season, I’ll periodically take a look at several former Orioles that are scattered around the major leagues. Ideally, there will be four to six players in each update. If you’d like some information on a player, feel free to e-mail me at djones@baltimoresun.com and I’ll try to include them in future posts.

Here’s a look at how former Orioles fared in the first week of games:

Miguel Tejada, Astros

Three players received in exchange for Tejada have helped the Orioles jump in front of the AL East. Through Tuesday’s game, long reliever Matt Albers struck out seven hitters in 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Likewise, reliever Dennis Sarfate has pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings. His fastball has been electrifying at times, reaching 99 mph on the radar gun. Outfielder Luke Scott hit his first home run of the season on Tuesday and he continues to hit around .500.

So how has Tejada fared in Houston?

He started the season 9-for-33 with three doubles, a triple and two home runs. Six of his nine hits have been for extra bases, including a walk-off home run to help the Astros beat the St. Louis Cardinals in their home opener on Monday. The shortstop has scored six runs and collected eight RBIs in the team’s first nine games. Still, the Astros are currently sitting in last place in the six-team NL Central with a 3-6 record.

Corey Patterson, Reds

While he normally hit lower in the batting order during his time in Baltimore, Patterson has done a good job so far this season as the leadoff hitter in Cincinnati. He’s 7-for-26 with three home runs and six RBIs in the Reds' first eight games.

Patterson had an RBI single and a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, but the Reds lost the game in extra innings.

Mike Mussina, Yankees

Mussina allowed four runs (three earned) in 5 2/3 innings and suffered the loss in his first start of the season against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 2. The 39-year-old right-hander walked two and struck out two.

He picked up his first victory of the season on Monday by allowing only one run on two hits in six innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Paul Bako, Reds

With catcher David Ross on the disabled list with a back injury and backup catcher Javier Valentin bothered by a hamstring injury, Bako has filled in nicely as the temporary starter for the Reds.

Bako is 6-for-19 with a double and two runs scored in seven games this season. He had a game-winning infield single last week against the Philadelphia Phillies.

According to this article on MLB.com, the Reds are impressed with Bako’s ability of calling games from behind the plate.

B.J. Ryan, Blue Jays

Remember him? The former Orioles closer signed a five-year, $47 million contract with the Blue Jays following the 2005 season. He was impressive in 2006 for Toronto, but missed most of last season after having Tommy John elbow surgery.

Ryan has been pitching in the minor leagues as part of his recovery from the surgery. He’s expected to continue pitching on rehab assignments and will rejoin the Blue Jays toward the end of the month if everything goes right.

Another former Orioles closer pitched in the same game as Ryan on Monday. Armando Benitez followed Ryan with a perfect inning.