NSAIDS like Toradol and Flexeril are truly amazing at reducing inflammation, and thereby often masking injury. I pulled something in my hip, and I had severe pain to the point I couldn't move my leg without excruciating pain. I took a Flexeril/Tylenol combo in the ER, and the symptoms were gone within the hour.
Most of these NSAIDS have side effects involving the digestive system, and are not in any way meant for long-term use.
It surprises me in no way that abuse of these drugs is common in professional sports. It's a huge problem in the NFL:
https://deadspin.com/the-amount-of-t...###-1793173870
The NFL also commonly administered injections too.
I'd actually be happier with a 70ish game schedule. 82 games is too much. The last 10-20 game are typically spent with band-aid rosters and many star players resting.