Angels’ Brian Fuentes gets vote of confidence

It’s hard to avoid controversy when established players get hurt and the backups more than fill their shoes. Such is the case with the Angels, concerning relief pitchers Brian Fuentes (the established) and Fernando Rodney (the backup).

But Manager Mike Scioscia managed that Thursday: “Right now, there’s no controversy.”

Fans might differ after Wednesday, when Fuentes returned from the disabled list to give up two runs in the ninth inning and blow the save in the Angels’ 4-3 loss to Detroit.

By raining boos on Fuentes after Scioscia pulled him, they cast many a vote for Rodney, who was out because of a heavy workload but had filled in well while Fuentes was out, retiring 15 of 16 batters and converting all five save chances.

At this point, Fuentes, who led the majors last season with a career-high 48 saves, gets the nod.

“We line up better if Brian is throwing the ball to his capabilities,” Scioscia said. “That’s obvious. We definitely want to give this a little time to see if that’s the case. If that’s not the case, we have some options to go to.”

But Scioscia admitted the bullpen needs improvement: Angels relievers started the season throwing 11 scoreless innings, but entered Thursday having given up 30 runs (27 earned) in 30 1/3 innings since for an 8.01 earned-run average.

“We’re trying to get it settled,” he said. “Our bullpen’s going to be a strength.”

Hunter’s trove

Torii Hunter is running out of room for his awards. Before Thursday’s game, in which figurines of him were given to fans, he got another: his ninth consecutive Gold Glove award for fielding excellence.

He said since the award’s shape changed four years ago, he’s had to spread them out in his game room at home. “It’s different,” he said, “so now I’ve got to put them in different places because they don’t fit in my cabinet anymore.”

Not that he’ll build another cabinet. “No, shoot,” he said. “I’m getting older. It’s not like I’m going to get a lot more. But I keep myself young … and I feel like I can run with any 20-year-old out there.”

Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr. is a winner of 10 straight Gold Gloves. Hunter wants to match that feat, but said he’d rather get a World Series ring. “That’s the ultimate. I don’t care about nothing else but that.”

Mathis update

Catcher Jeff Mathis, who will be out six to eight weeks after breaking a bone in his right wrist Monday night, received some good news after being examined by Dr. Norman Zemel, the Angels’ hand specialist.

“He said it wasn’t displaced,” Mathis said. “That was good. That was about the only positive news I’ve gotten in the last few days.”

Mathis had been playing some of his best baseball before the injury, batting .324 with a .500 slugging percentage in 10 games. His wrist will be put in a hard cast when the swelling goes down, and will remain for probably three to four weeks.

Short hops

Hideki Matsui got his second start in left field Thursday. Reggie Willits played center field for his second start there as well…. Scioscia gave Juan Rivera and Howie Kendrick the night off to rest.

baxter.holmes@latimes.com