LAS VEGAS -- For years, Bartolo Colon and Ronald Acuña Jr. have sent each other messages on Instagram. But the two stars had never before met in person -- until they bumped into each other at the lobby of their Las Vegas hotel on Friday night ahead of Saturday's All-MLB Team show presented by MGM Rewards.

Clearly, it was a thrill for both.

"I really did want to see Ronald and get to know him a little bit better," Colon said, through an interpreter, at the All-MLB pre-show festivities. "We've always messaged on Instagram, but this was the first time I'd actually seen him."

"It was awesome,¡± added Acu?a. ¡°He's obviously someone that I watched growing up. And to be able to have conversations with him and what he meant to the game. He showed me so much love, and I really appreciate that."

Acu?a said he was the one who initiated the Instagram DMs with Colon several years ago. The two have shared messages sporadically since.

Colon's final season was 2018, which was also Acu?a's breakthrough rookie season. But the two never squared off in the big leagues.

Asked how he'd have pitched Acu?a -- the 2023 National League MVP and the first 40-70 player in baseball history -- Colon laughed.

"I would just throw it right down the middle," he said. "And hope."