Back from the five weeks in the Caribbean, first baseman/outfielder Conor Jackson looks like a new man. Rather, like the man he was before a case of "valley fever" ruined his 2009 season.

Jackson regained his stroke and appeared to fully regain his health while playing for Escogido of the Dominican winter league. Jackson hit a robust .425 with six doubles, two home runs, 16 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 23 games before leaving the team in mid-November. As important, he had enough stamina to play virtually every game.

"He did very well ... the whole fall was encouraging," said Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes, who as a first step sent Jackson to the instructional league.

Jackson was an integral piece of the D-backs offense in 2008, when he hit a career-high .300 with 31 doubles, 12 homers, 75 RBIs and 10 stolen bases, but he missed the final five months of 2009. He was first diagnosed with fatigue and pneumonia but was finally found to have valley fever, a viral infection caused by wind-borne spores. Jackson tried to play through it, hitting .182 with one homer and 14 RBIs in 30 games, but clearly was not himself.

Is Jackson back?

"I think so," Byrnes said. "All signs point to that."

Jackson's return would be a big help. He can play first base and left field -- as things stand now, he would be the starting first baseman ahead of Brandon Allen -- and with his patient approach at the plate, he provides a needed counterpoint to free swingers such as third baseman Mark Reynolds and outfielders Chris Young and Justin Upton.

Jackson is entering his second year of arbitration eligibility after making $3.05 million last season, and his salary is expected to remain about the same or decrease slightly because of his injury-marred 2009.

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