Edwin Jackson, who signed a one-year deal with the Nationals this offseason, had hoped to return to the Cardinals, but the defending World Series champions showed no interest. "There was no involvement with the Cardinals," the right-hander said. "Pitching wasn't a department they needed help in. Their rotation is pretty much set. "It was a place I wouldn't have minded going back to," said Jackson, 28. "But, coming into the offseason, it was never a place I realistically thought I had a chance to go back to."