Who said the Cleveland Indians need Grady Sizemore? After learning that he’ll miss the remainder of the 2010 season, Cleveland annihilated the White Sox 10-1 on Friday night. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Sizemore is gone. As a fan favorite, three-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner, and one-time Silver Slugger, losing Sizemore adds injury to insult, and you have to wonder how much more insult Indians fans are willing to take.

A microfracture in Sizemore’s left knee was repaired on Friday. The team had hoped that he wouldn’t have to undergo surgery, but Sizemore wanted to ensure this was the only knee surgery he would have to have in his career. He should be ready for Spring Training. Sizemore was batting just .211 with no home runs and 13 RBI in 33 games this season. He has struck out 35 times, complemented by only nine walks.

The Indians are used to losing players, be it through injury or trade, and it’s left Cleveland hurting. They’ve only had a winning record twice in the last eight seasons and so far are looking to repeat that cycle. They sit in last place in the AL Central. They’ve only managed one three-game and one four-game win streak this season, with single-game victories sprinkled among a field of losses. They also have the worst home record in the American League.

Losing Sizemore now in what may already be a lost season may have been the right choice. It won’t be easy for him to watch his teammates struggle through the year, but he’ll have to keep telling himself it’s for the best. At only 27 years of age, Sizemore still has a lot of baseball left to play, and if he can come back as strong as he has proved he can be, it will only be a matter of time before Cleveland breaks the cycle. Unless they trade Sizemore, that is.