Ensberg was assigned to Buffalo of the International League.
The Indians are looking for hitters with Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner on the disabled list.
The 32-year-old Ensberg hit just .203 with a home run and four RBIs in 28 games for the New York Yankees this season. The Yankees designated Ensberg for assignment earlier this month.
Ensberg was viewed as a rising star with Houston when he hit .283 with 36 homers and 101 RBIs for the Astros in 2005. He was named an All-Star and finished fourth in MVP voting.
But he tore a tendon in his right shoulder diving for a foul ball in June 2006 and hasn't come close to producing his 2005 stats again.
The Associated Press