DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy is welcoming word that star first baseman Todd Helton plans to play at least one more year.

Helton had season-ending surgery on Aug. 10 to repair a torn labrum in his right hip.

Helton told The Denver Post that he intends to return in 2013 to play out the final year of his contract. He turned 39 last month.

Tracy says he thinks Helton can bounce back with a good season. Helton is a lifetime .320 hitter, but batted a career-low .238 in 69 games.