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NATIONALS JOURNAL

Just married! Strasburg tied

the knot two weeks ago

We're not trying to compete against the Reliable Source over here, but we have word of some nuptials to pass along: Stephen Strasburg, the 21-year-old right-hander whom the Nationals signed in August to the largest bonus in MLB draft history, was married on Jan. 9 near his San Diego home to the former Rachelle Lackey.

The new husband and wife are on their honeymoon at an undisclosed location. We presume Scott Boras negotiated them a favorable package price.

The news helps explain a couple of absences on the part of Strasburg. He did not attend last week's Rookie Career Development Program, for which teams typically assign three or four prospects whom they expect to debut in the majors during the upcoming season. (The Nationals' contingent consisted of pitchers Drew Storen, Aaron Thompson and Atahualpa Severino, and shortstop Danny Espinosa. Read into that what you will.)

Strasburg's name is also notably absent from the team's upcoming winter caravan and Natsfest schedule. Team President Stan Kasten confirmed that Strasburg's absences were indeed the result of his wedding and honeymoon, which had already been scheduled when the team signed him. Kasten clearly knew better than to try to mess with a bride's wedding date.

"He was really disappointed to miss Fanfest, but personal stuff takes precedent, obviously," Kasten said. "He's already committed to attending next year's Fanfest."

-- Dave Sheinin